Wikipedia

Bird 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, 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] The aviary was designed by Singaporean architectural firm, RSP Architects Planners & Engineers.[2][3]

Bird Paradise
Map
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[a]
927[b]
Websitewww.mandai.com/en/bird-paradise.html Edit this at Wikidata

History

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In 2016, the Mandai Wildlife Group announced that Jurong Bird Park would be closed and the entire collection would be relocated to a different, similarly sized park at Mandai Lake Road by 2020. This would result in the consolidation of the three existing Singapore wildlife parks with the new Rainforest Wild Park, and form a fully-integrated nature and wildlife district, collectively referred to as the Mandai Wildlife Reserve.[4]

In 2021, the group announced that the park's successor in Mandai would be named Bird Paradise.[5] It was also announced that the park's grand opening would be slightly delayed due to challenging construction site conditions, and the ongoing impact of the tapering COVID-19 pandemic.[6]

In 2022, it was announced that Jurong Bird Park would be closed on 3 January 2023, in an effort to accelerate the relocation to Bird Paradise, Mandai.[7]

Bird Paradise officially opened to the general public on 8 May 2023, with ticket pre-sales commencing on 24 April 2023.[8]

Animals and exhibits

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Ocean Network Express Penguin Cove

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Penguin Cove is one of the world's largest simulated Antarctic exhibits. Featuring cold saltwater pools for king, gentoo, humboldt and northern rockhopper penguins, the exhibit simulates conditions near the South Pole. The building consists of two levels, one for observing the birds whilst swimming (via underwater viewing galleries), and another above the water level simulating a windswept, cold beach for the birds to roost and nest on. The exhibit utilises specially-timed lighting systems for the birds' well-being, intending to replicate the 24-hour summer daylight of the poles, or, depending on the time of year, the 24-hours of darkness (polar winter). This exhibit has earned the Platinum BCA Green Mark Award for green innovation.

Winged Sanctuary

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The Winged Sanctuary houses the park's collection of over 20 species of hornbills and other endangered tropical birds, such as the Bali myna, the Palawan peacock-pheasant and the Philippine eagle (also known as the monkey-eating eagle). The area consists of tall and densely-planted steel-mesh screen aviaries. Species include:

Shaw Foundation Australian Outback

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This aviary mimics the semi-arid environment of the Australian outback, as well as semi-tropical portions of Papua New Guinea and Northeastern Australia. The landscaping consists primarily of eucalyptus and ficus trees, termite mounds and Aboriginal cave paintings. In addition to the many birds, visitors may observe Bennett's (or red-necked) wallabies here. Species of interest are:

Mysterious Papua

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This unique aviary replicates the coastal, tropical forests of Papua New Guinea, with some species from Northern Australia and other nearby islands. Within the aviary are buildings styled after the huts of the Papuan Korowai people, and viewing galleries inspired by Sepik houses. Species inside include:

Lory Loft

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This is a continuation of an aviary of the same name at the former Jurong Bird Park, housing many species of psittaciformes. Notably, there is a large breeding population of blue-eyed cockatoos, as well as:

Amazonian Jewels

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Amazonian Jewels is a lushly-planted aviary replicating the rainforests of Central and South America and the Caribbean, featuring species such as the cock-of-the-rock, cracids, curassows, macaws, toucans, quetzal and oropendolas. There is also a viewing area resembling a large tree stump, as well as numerous New World aroids and bromeliads planted throughout. Species of interest are:

Songs of the Forest

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Songs of the Forest features vulnerable, threatened and endangered songbirds (among other species) of Southeast Asia, such as the straw-headed bulbul, Bali myna and the fairy bluebird.[14] The exhibit shines a spotlight on the global black market trade of endangered birds, an issue which requires urgent attention. Species of interest are:

Hong Leong Foundation Crimson Wetlands

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Crimson Wetlands recreates the wetland habitats of South America and the Caribbean. Its main attraction is a very large pool with a plunging waterfall, overlooking a lake for the park's flock of American flamingoes, along with typical New World waterbirds such as the roseate spoonbill and scarlet ibis (the national bird of Trinidad and Tobago), as well as turtles of South America. There is a simulated clay wall where various parrots gather to nest and extract nutrients by chewing the clay, as a form of mineral lick. Species include:

Kuok Group Wings of Asia

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This aviary replicates a Balinese or Indonesian landscape, with dense trees, bamboo and simulated rice terraces.[17] There are elevated walkways where visitors can experience the aviary via two different levels. Species include:

Nyungwe Forest-Heart of Africa

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Heart of Africa is the largest aviary at Bird Paradise.[17] It was inspired by the dense Nyungwe Forest of Rwanda in East Africa. Similar to Wings of Asia, Heart of Africa has various suspension bridges and elevated walkways, enabling visitors to see birds at varied heights, from the forest floor to the treetops. Species of interest include:

[19]

Presentations

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Sky Amphitheatre at Bird Paradise

Bird Paradise has two live shows, Predators on Wings and Wings of the World, both of which are presented periodically throughout each day at the park's Sky Amphitheatre.[20]

Wings of the World features many ambassador animals that were part of previous shows at the Jurong location. Some notable birds include ‘Sunny’, a great pied hornbill and the mascot of Bird Paradise (along with several other Oriental pied hornbills), ‘Amigo’ the yellow-naped amazon parrot who sings in three languages, and a 50-year-old sulphur-crested cockatoo.[21]

Predators on Wings displays the power and might of some of the world's birds of prey. Species to look out for include the American bald eagle, Harris' hawk, the turkey vulture, and the white-bellied sea eagle.[22]

Transportation

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Public transportation

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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

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Notes

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

References

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  1. ^ Ng, Abigail (21 April 2023). "First look at Bird Paradise, Singapore's new bird park in Mandai". CNA. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  2. ^ BCA. "Bird Paradise & Mandai Wildlife West" (PDF). Building and Construction Authority. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  3. ^ BCA. "Award Winners 2023:Universal Design Excellence Award Winners" (PDF). Building and Construction Authority. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Mandai Area Set for Major Redevelopment". Today. 5 September 2014. Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  5. ^ "River Safari, Jurong Bird Park renamed in Mandai Wildlife Group rebranding". TODAYonline. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "Bird Paradise in Mandai to open on May 8 with discounted tickets". The Straits Times. 30 March 2023.
  9. ^ "Animals & Zones".
  10. ^ "Shaw Foundation Australian Outback".
  11. ^ "Mysterious Papua".
  12. ^ "Mysterious Papua".
  13. ^ "Animals & Zones".
  14. ^ Ng, Keng Gene (21 April 2023). "First look at Bird Paradise: 7 things to see and know". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  15. ^ "Songs of the Forest".
  16. ^ "Crimson Wetlands".
  17. ^ a b "Bird Paradise to open in 2023 with 8 walk-in aviaries inspired by Africa, Bali and more". AsiaOne. 3 October 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  18. ^ https://www.zoochat.com/community/threads/bird-paradise-news-2023.486743/
  19. ^ https://www.zoochat.com/community/threads/bird-paradise-news-2023.486743/page-6
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ "Wings of the World".
  22. ^ "Predators on Wings".
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