Bird Paradise
1°24′25″N 103°46′52″E / 1.406997°N 103.781227°E / 1.406997; 103.781227
Date opened8 May 2023
(soft opening)
15 November 2023
(grand opening)
LocationMandai, Singapore
20 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729825
Land area17 ha (42 acres)
No. of animals3,500
No. of species400
Public transit access 138[lower-alpha 1]
927[lower-alpha 2]
WebsiteBird Paradise

Bird Paradise is an aviary located in Mandai, Singapore. Opened on 8 May 2023, it replaced the Jurong Bird Park and forms a part of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, consisting of the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and River Wonders and the upcoming Rainforest Wild Park. Bird Paradise covers approximately 17 hectares (42 acres), with larger and double the walk-in aviaries than the previous Jurong Bird Park.[1]

History

In 2016, the Mandai Wildlife Group announced that the Jurong Bird Park would be relocated to a much larger park at Mandai Lake Road by 2020, consolidating with the three existing wildlife parks together with a new Rainforest Wild Park to form an integrated nature and wildlife precinct known as the Mandai Wildlife Reserve.[2]

In 2021, the group announced that the park's successor in Mandai would be named Bird Paradise.[3] It was also announced that the park opening would be pushed back due to challenging site conditions and the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

In 2022, it was announced that Jurong Bird Park will be closed on 3 January 2023 to finalise its move to Bird Paradise in Mandai.[5]

Bird Paradise opened to the general public on 8 May 2023, with ticket sales starting on 24 April 2023.[6]

Animals and exhibits

Ocean Network Express Penguin Cove

Penguin Cove features one of the world’s largest sub-Antarctic, cold salt-water habitats for penguins, among other cold-water-dwelling seabirds. The building consists of two levels: the first level features underwater viewing windows, and the second, above water level, simulates a rocky beach for the birds to rest on. The exhibit utilises special lighting for the birds’ well-being, intending to replicate the near-constant polar daylight in summertime or, alternately, the 24-hour periods of darkness during the Antarctic winter months. This exhibit has earned the BCA Green Mark Award (Platinum) for green innovation. Species are:

Winged Sanctuary

Winged Sanctuary houses the park's collection of over 20 species of hornbills and other endangered birds. The exhibit consists of well-planted mesh and steel aviaries.

Species of interest are are:

Shaw Foundation Australian Outback

This aviary mimics the semi-arid environment of the outback, with the landscape consisting of eucalyptus trees, termite mounds and aboriginal cave paintings.

Species of interest are:

Mysterious Papua

The Mysterious Papua aviary replicates the coastal forests of Papua New Guinea. It features pavilions styled after the huts of the Korowai tribe, and viewing galleries inspired by Sepik houses.

Species are:

Lory Loft

This is a revival of an attraction of the same name at the now-closed Jurong Bird Park. Lory Loft houses many species of parrots and has a large breeding population of blue-eyed cockatoos.

Species are:

Amazonian Jewels

Amazonian Jewels is a well planted aviary replicating the rainforest of South America. The exhibit houses species such as the Andean cock-of-the-rock, cracids, toucans and green oropendolas. This exhibit has a viewing area resembling a large tree stump, as well as bromeliads planted throughout the aviary. Species of interest are:

Songs of the Forest

Songs of the Forest features endangered songbirds of Southeast Asia such as straw-headed bulbuls, Bali mynas and black-winged mynas. This exhibit shines a spotlight on the trade in endangered songbirds, which requires urgent attention. Species of interest are:

[13]

Hong Leong Foundation Crimson Wetlands

Crimson Wetlands mimics the wetland habitats of South America. Its main attraction is a very large waterfall overlooking a lake for a flock of American flamingoes along with roseate spoonbills and scarlet ibises. There is a sheltered underwater viewing gallery for visitors to observe diving ducks, and a clay wall where various macaw species gather. Species of interest are:

Kuok Group Wings of Asia

This area replicates a Balinese environment, with thick forests, bamboo groves and rice terraces. There are elevated walkways where visitors can observe the aviary at two different levels. Species such as Papuan hornbills, green peafowl and pied imperial pigeons roam freely in the aviary, while wading birds and waterfowl are found at the rice terraces.

Nyungwe Forest Heart of Africa

Heart of Africa is the largest of all the aviaries in Bird Paradise. It is inspired from the densely forested areas of the Nyungwe Forests in Rwanda. Similar to the Wings of Asia aviary, Heart of Africa has various suspension bridges that allow visiors to view birds living in different layers of the canopy. Species housed there include cranes,weavers, glossy starlings and parrots. There is also a pond housing a flock of greater and lesser flamingoes, as well as an artificial cliff for bee-eaters.

Presentations

Sky Amphitheatre at Bird Paradise

Bird Paradise has two shows: 'Predators on Wings' and 'Wings of the World' which is presented at the Sky Amphitheatre.[15]

Transportation

Public transportation

Like the adjacent Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and River Wonders parks, Bird Paradise is located west of the reserve and has its own bus stop. There are two bus services — 138 and 927. Service 138 connects to the nearest Springleaf MRT station, as well as Ang Mo Kio MRT station, while Service 927 connects to the Choa Chu Kang MRT/LRT station. Additionally, bus service 171 stops nearby the reserve, but doesn't pass through.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ via  TE4  Springleaf and  NS16  CR11  Ang Mo Kio
  2. ↑ via  NS4  JS1  BP1  Choa Chu Kang

References

  1. ↑ Ng, Abigail (21 April 2023). "First look at Bird Paradise, Singapore's new bird park in Mandai". CNA. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  2. ↑ "Mandai Area Set for Major Redevelopment". Today. 5 September 2014. Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  3. ↑ "River Safari, Jurong Bird Park renamed in Mandai Wildlife Group rebranding". TODAYonline. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  4. ↑ "Two wildlife parks in Mandai could be further delayed due to Covid-19; River Safari to get new name". The Straits Times. 13 October 2021.
  5. ↑ Auto, Hermes (30 August 2022). "1971-2023: Jurong Bird Park's last day of operations is on Jan 3 as it prepares to move to Mandai | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Archived from the original on 31 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  6. ↑ "Bird Paradise in Mandai to open on May 8 with discounted tickets". The Straits Times. 30 March 2023.
  7. ↑ https://www.mandai.com/en/bird-paradise/animals-and-zones/penguin-cove.html
  8. ↑ https://www.mandai.com/en/bird-paradise/animals-and-zones.html
  9. ↑ https://www.mandai.com/en/bird-paradise/animals-and-zones/australian-outback.html
  10. ↑ https://www.mandai.com/en/bird-paradise/animals-and-zones/mysterious-papua.html
  11. ↑ https://www.mandai.com/en/bird-paradise/animals-and-zones/mysterious-papua.html
  12. ↑ https://www.mandai.com/en/bird-paradise/animals-and-zones.html
  13. ↑ https://www.mandai.com/en/bird-paradise/animals-and-zones/songs-of-the-forest.html
  14. ↑ https://www.mandai.com/en/bird-paradise/animals-and-zones/crimson-wetlands.html
  15. ↑ Ng, Keng Gene (21 April 2023). "First look at Bird Paradise: 7 things to see and know". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
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