JURONG BIRD PARK
Jurong Bird Park is Asia’s
largest bird park and home to more than 5,000 birds of 400 species (of which 29
are of threatened species). It covers an area of 0.2 square kilometres (20.2
hectare) on the western slope of Jurong
Hill, the highest point in the Jurong region. It is currently the world's largest bird park
in terms of the number of birds, and second largest both in terms of bird
species and land area (after Germany's Weltvogelpark
Walsrode). The
park, offering visitors an enticing experience with large open-concept
displays that simulate the natural habitats of birds, draws about 800,000
visitors annually. Jurong Bird Park is also well known for having a 30-metre-high
man-made waterfall, the Waterfall Aviary (known as Jurong Falls Aviary when the
park first opened). This waterfall was said to be the world’s largest walk-in aviary,
with over 600 free-flying birds. To date, the park has been accorded many
tourism related awards as well as its breeding and conservation efforts.
HISTORY
The idea of having an aviary was first envisioned by the
then Minister for Finance Dr Goh Keng Swee. He first visited Rio de Janeiro's zoological garden while attending a World Bank Meeting in September 1967 and was impressed with its free-flight aviary. He visited the Bangkok Aviary
the year after and was convinced that Singapore should embark on such a venture.
He visioned and saw the value of having a bird park in Jurong as a green connect and escape in a fast urbanising city. He also strongly believed such a venture is feasible and could
be self-supporting.
Work on the aviary started in January 1969 and a 35-acre site in Jurong was chosen for the project. On 3 January 1971,
Jurong Bird Park, built at a cost of S$3.5 million,
was opened to the public. In 2006, Jurong Bird Park completed a
S$10 million makeover and the park had a new entrance plaza, a restaurant, an ice cream parlour, a
gift shop and a bird hospital.
PERSONAL ACCOUNT
According to Mr Raja Segran, general manager of Jurong Bird Park, the aviary had only about 1,000 birds from 60 species in the early years. He added that the park has now transformed from one that entertained to one that impresses on research, breeding and conservation. One good example is how the bird shows evolved over the years. In 1982, Mr Segran, who was in the first team of bird trainer-presenters, said that in the birds were taught to perform tricks such as riding bicycles on high wire and playing basketball. The show did all they could to attract the audience's attention as much as possible. However, over the years, the team realised they should be showing off the birds' natural abilities instead of doing human stunts. As such, they had shows such as birds swooping above the audience's heads or engaging in funny banter with the presenter. The team wanted to showcase the intelligence of the birds and to teach audiences to respect and marvel them for the way they are.
According to Mr Raja Segran, general manager of Jurong Bird Park, the aviary had only about 1,000 birds from 60 species in the early years. He added that the park has now transformed from one that entertained to one that impresses on research, breeding and conservation. One good example is how the bird shows evolved over the years. In 1982, Mr Segran, who was in the first team of bird trainer-presenters, said that in the birds were taught to perform tricks such as riding bicycles on high wire and playing basketball. The show did all they could to attract the audience's attention as much as possible. However, over the years, the team realised they should be showing off the birds' natural abilities instead of doing human stunts. As such, they had shows such as birds swooping above the audience's heads or engaging in funny banter with the presenter. The team wanted to showcase the intelligence of the birds and to teach audiences to respect and marvel them for the way they are.
Mr Raja Segran:
30 years ago
30 years ago
In 2015
ECONOMIC BENEFIT
According to Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS), a subsidiary of Temasek which operates and owns the Singapore Zoological Gardens, Night Safari, River Safari and Jurong Bird Park, the park will soon cease operation and will be relocated to Mandai, all of which is part of a $1billion overhaul of Mandai region so as to transform it into an integrated wildlife and nature heritage precinct. Expected to open by 2020, the new 17-hectare bird park will house one of the largest collections of birds in the world featuring nine large aviaries, wetlands, bamboo forests and rainforests.
According to DBS Bank, the enhancement of Singapore's nature and wildlife offering will be good for the tourism industry in Singapore. This is especially so in view of current competition for the tourism dollars by Shanghai (Shanghai Disney), Malaysia (20th Century Fox World studios) and other countries. In addition, this enhanced offering could also potentially increase the average length of stay and tourists’ expenditure in Singapore. Tourists who previously had to choose between the Jurong Bird Park and Singapore Zoo/Night Safari can now conveniently enjoy both at one go, according to the bank.
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