Jurong Bird Park



Singapore Infopedia

Background

When Jurong Bird Park opened on 3 January 1971, it was Asia's largest bird park and home to more than 5,000 birds across 400 species.1 Built at a cost of over S$5 million, the 20.2-hectare park drew about 800,000 visitors annually by 2016.2 The park offered visitors an immersive experience with large open-concept displays that featured exhibits simulating the natural habitats of birds.3 One of its highlights was the Waterfall Aviary (known as Jurong Falls Aviary when the park opened), which housed a 30-metre-high man-made waterfall, and was touted as the world’s largest walk-in aviary.4 In 2023, it was moved to Mandai and renamed Bird Paradise.5

Background
Jurong Bird Park owes its founding to the vision of then Minister for Finance, Goh Keng Swee. The idea for a bird park arose from his visit to the Rio Aviary in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, while attending a World Bank meeting in September 1967. A visit to the Bangkok Aviary the following year convinced him that such a venture was feasible and could be self-supporting. Goh proposed the creation of a bird park for Singapore at the inaugural meeting of the Jurong Town Corporation in June 1968. He saw the value of a having a bird park as a recreational attraction for Singaporeans to enjoy and connect with nature at a time when the country was in the midst of rapid industrialisation and urbanisation.6


By the end of 1968, a 20.4-hectare site was chosen on the western slope of Jurong Hill (Bukit Peropok) in Jurong for the location of the new bird park. The park was designed by the London Zoological Society’s curator of birds, John Yealland, and aviary architect, J. Toovey. Construction began in February 1969, and was completed by late 1970. Jurong Bird Park opened on 3 January 1971. The park included 78 display aviaries, an administration block, a transit and quarantine station, a nursery breeding area and facilities such as a tram system, a restaurant, refreshment kiosks, footpaths, benches and shelters.7

The park received contributions of birds from all over the world. By its opening day, 12 countries, 7 zoos and 40 private donors had contributed birds to its collection.8 The park attracted 37,493 visitors in its first 15 days and welcomed its millionth visitor in August 1972.9 That year also saw the opening of the Loke Wan Tho Memorial Library, which had photographs and reference books from the private collection of the late philanthropist and ornithologist, as well as the publication of the park’s first guide book.10
Since its inception, the park has strived to continually improve existing infrastructure, as well as introduce new attractions to provide visitors with a fresh experience. Among the many visitors that the park has hosted over the years included several foreign dignitaries, such as Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, in 1972.11

The opening of Asia’s first nocturnal bird exhibit, "World of Darkness”, on 3 April 1982 marked the first in a string of new exhibits added to the park in its second decade.12 In 1985, Jurong Bird Park finalised a master plan for upgrading and redevelopment to boost its image and reputation as one of the top bird parks in the world.13 The S$7 million redevelopment programme commenced in 1986, and was completed in two phases over seven years.14

The first phase included a new entrance plaza; covered walkway; automated ticketing machines; a 240-seater air-conditioned theatrette; the Songbird Terrace; new Scarlet Ibis, Manchurian Crane and Crowned Pigeon exhibits; and the Fuji Hawk Centre (called Hawk Arena) with the Hawk-Walk and Falconry Arena.15

A Breeding and Research Centre was established in 1988 to strengthen the park’s on-going efforts in the breeding and management of birds in captivity, especially rare and endangered species.16 The park has since successfully bred over 200 species, and its notable hatchlings include the Bali mynah, blue-throated macaw, twelve-wired Bird of Paradise (first in captivity) and the Oriental pied hornbill (first in the world to be successfully incubated and hatched).17 Opened to the public in 2012, the Breeding and Research Centre helped the visitors to understand  the park’s conservation and breeding efforts.18

The second phase saw the completion of a 2,000-seater covered amphitheatre, a monorail system (dubbed the Panorail), and the Southeast Asian Birds Aviary in 1992, as well as the re-opening of an enhanced Waterfall Aviary in 1993.19 This was followed by the opening of large-scale exhibits: Parrot Paradise in 1996 and Jungle Jewels Flight Aviary in 1999, where visitors could get close to birds.20

Because of increased competition in the regional tourist market, Temasek Holdings merged its three animal attractions: the Jurong Bird Park, the Singapore Zoological Gardens, and the Night Safari.21 This organisation was named Wildlife Reserves Singapore, with a new department to focus on conservation and research.22


Closure and move to Mandai
In September 2014, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the relocation of the bird park to Mandai, where the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and River Safari are located.23 This was part of a plan to transform Mandai into a precinct of nature-themed attractions for education and recreation by 2023.24  The bird park’s last day of operation was 3 January 2023, its 52nd birthday. Approximately 3,500 birds were moved to the new Bird Paradise in Mandai, which opened on 8 May 2023.25


Timeline
1968:
 A 20.2-hectare site on the western slope of Jurong Hill is confirmed as the site for the new bird park.26

1969: Construction of bird park begins.27
3 Jan 1971: Jurong Bird Park is declared open by Goh Keng Swee.28
1972: The Loke Wan Tho Memorial Library opens.29
Aug 1972: The millionth visitor is recorded.30
Apr 1982: World of Darkness, Asia's first nocturnal bird exhibit, opens.31
1984: Flamingo Pool opens.32
1985: The Master Plan is launched.
1986: A new corporate logo and mission statement, as well as the quarterly children's magazine BirdLife, are launched.33
Jul 1987: The "Breakfast with the Birds" programme is introduced with the opening of the Songbird Terrace.34
1988: The Breeding and Research Centre is established.35
Jan 1988: Fuji Hawk Centre opens, and the Kings of the Skies show is launched.36
Apr 1988: New Entrance Plaza and Nature Theatrette opened by Tony Tan, then Minister for Education.37
May 1989: The Flightless Birds Exhibit is opened by Wong Kan Seng, then Minister for Community Development and Foreign Affairs.38
Aug 1990: The Hornbill and Toucan Exhibit is opened by Mah Bow Tan, then Minister for State (Trade and Industry, and Communications and Information).39
1992: The Southeast Asian Birds Aviary, Birds of Paradise exhibit, Talking Birds exhibit, Pools Amphitheatre and Panorail system open; the All Star Birdshow is launched.40
1995: Breeding of the king penguin in captivity in the tropics is first recorded.41
1996: Parrot Paradise opens.42
1999: Jungle Jewels opens.43
2000: Lodge on Flamingo Lake opens. Jurong Bird Park, the Singapore Zoological Gardens, and the Night Safari are merged to form Wildlife Reserves Singapore.44
2006: Jurong Bird Park reopens after revamp. New exhibit, African Wetlands is unveiled along with Asia-Pacific’s first avian hospital.45
2014: Plans to relocate Bird Park to Mandai are announced.46
2023: Jurong Bird Park closes, and the birds are moved to Bird Paradise in Mandai.47



Author
Nureza Ahmad



References
1. Leslie Fong, “Into a World of Sights and Sounds,” Sunday Times, 3 January 1971, 18; Siau Ming En, “Wistful Memories of Bird Park as Move Is Announced,” Today, 2 June 2016, 8 (From NewspaperSG); Michelle Chin, “Bird Paradise Playground Closed after Boy Breaks Teeth,” Straits Times, 27 May 2023, A18. (From Newslink via NLB’s eResources website)
2. Florence Tan, “Proud Peacock Puts On a Show at Park,” New Nation, 5 March 1974, 4; Gurveen Kaur, “Jurong Bird Park Turns 45,” Straits Times, 1 January 2016, D10. (From NewspaperSG)
3. Matthew Hubbs, “Birds among the Factories,” Straits Times Annual for 1972, 1 January 1972, 154–60. (From NewspaperSG)
4. Fong, “Into a World of Sights and Sounds”; “Not Just for the Birds,” New Nation, 27 September 1979, 16 (From NewspaperSG); Jurong Bird Park, On Wings of Excellence (Singapore: Jurong Bird Park, 1994), 104. (Call no. RSING 598.295957 ON)
5. Siau Ming En, “Wistful Memories of Bird Park as Move Is Announced,” Today, 2 June 2016, 8 (From NewspaperSG); Michelle Chin, “Bird Paradise Playground Closed after Boy Breaks Teeth,” Straits Times, 27 May 2023, A18. (From Newslink via NLB’s eResources website)
6. Hubbs, “Birds among the Factories.”
7. Jurong Bird Park, On Wings of Excellence, 12; Hubbs, “Birds among the Factories”; T. G. Yeoh and J. Wong, Jurong Bird Park (Singapore: Jurong Bird Park, 1972), 7–11. (Call no. RSING 598.2 JUR)
8. “What A Lark! This Bird Park Which Has Almost Everything,” Singapore Herald, 17 December 1970, 13. (From NewspaperSG)
9. Jurong Bird Park, On Wings of Excellence, 10.
10. “Loke Wan Tho Library for Bird Park,” Straits Times, 17 July 1971, 3; “Tribute to Bird Lover Loke,” Straits Times, 5 February 1972, 19; “Guide Book on Bird Park,” Straits Times, 8 March 1972, 5. (From NewspaperSG)
11. Jurong Bird Park, On Wings of Excellence, 22, 53.
12. Jurong Bird Park, On Wings of Excellence, 32; “House for Birds That Prey at Night,” Straits Times, 4 April 1982, 10. (From NewspaperSG)
13. Jurong Bird Park, On Wings of Excellence, 47.
14. Jurong Bird Park, Jurong Bird Park Annual Report 1986 (Singapore: Jurong Bird Park, 1987), 3, 7 (Call no. RCLOS 598.20740959 JBPAR–[AR]); Jurong Bird Park, Jurong Bird Park Annual Report 1987 (Singapore: Jurong Bird Park, 1988), 3, 13–15 (Call no. RCLOS 598.20740959 JBPAR–[AR]); Jurong Bird Park, Jurong Bird Park Annual Report 1990 (Singapore: Jurong Bird Park, 1991), 5 (Call no. RCLOS 598.20740959 JBPAR–[AR]); Jurong Bird Park, Jurong Bird Park Annual Report 1993 (Singapore: Jurong Bird Park, 1994), 6. (Call no. RCLOS 598.20740959 JBPAR–[AR])
15. Jurong Bird Park, Jurong Bird Park Annual Report 1987 (Singapore: Jurong Bird Park, 1988), 3, 13–15. (Call no. RCLOS 598.20740959 JBPAR–[AR])
16. Jurong Bird Park, On Wings of Excellence, 76, 78.
17. Gurveen, “Jurong Bird Park Turns 45”; Sharmilpal Kaur, “Catch This Pole-dancer at the Bird Park,” Straits Times, 12 December 2022, H3 (From NewspaperSG); “Jurong Bird Park Welcomes Hornbill Hatchlings,” New Paper, 9 March 2013, 8–9. (From NewspaperSG)
18. “Jurong Bird Park Nursery to Be Open to Public,” Straits Times, 15 May 2012, Home, B2. (From NewspaperSG)
19. Jurong Bird Park, Jurong Bird Park Annual Report 1991 (Singapore: Jurong Bird Park, 1992), 4, 10–11 (Call no. RCLOS 598.20740959 JBPAR–[AR]); Jurong Bird Park, Jurong Bird Park Annual Report 1992 (Singapore: Jurong Bird Park, 1993), 2, 7–8 (Call no. RCLOS 598.20740959 JBPAR–[AR]); Jurong Bird Park, Jurong Bird Park Annual Report 1993 (Singapore: Jurong Bird Park, 1994), 6. (Call no. RCLOS 598.20740959 JBPAR–[AR])
20. Desmond Ng, “Tiny Bird That's an Apache in the Sky,” WeekendEast, 18 June 1999, 9; Ali Yusoff, “Parrot Paradise is Bird Park's Latest Draw,” Straits Times, 12 February 1996, 24. (From NewspaperSG)
21. “3 Attractions Team Up to Draw Visitors,” Straits Times, 1 September 2000, 3. (From NewspaperSG)
22. “3 Attractions Team Up to Draw Visitors.”
23. Joy Fang, “Mandai Area Set for Major Redevelopment,” Today, 5 September 2014, 1. (From NewspaperSG)
24. Fang, “Mandai Area Set for Major Redevelopment.”
25. Ng Keng Gene, “Teary Eyes as Jurong Bird Park’s Last Show Ends with Rain,” Straits Times, 4 January 2023, A2 (From Newslink via NLB’s eResources website); Chin, “Bird Paradise Playground Closed after Boy Breaks Teeth.”
26. Hubbs, “Birds among the Factories.”
27. Yeo Toon Joo, “Work on $1 mil. Aviary at Jurong,” Straits Times, 3 January 1969, 6. (From NewspaperSG)
28. “Dr. Goh Opens Park,” Straits Times, 4 January 1971, 1. (From NewspaperSG)
29. “Loke Wan Tho Library for Bird Park.”
30. Jurong Bird Park, On Wings of Excellence, 24.
31. “House for Birds That Prey at Night.”
32. “A Bird in Hand for the Flamingo Pool,” Straits Times, 3 April 1984, 35; Pool opening,” Straits Times, 7 July 1984, 7. (From NewspaperSG)
33. Jurong Bird Park, On Wings of Excellence, 50, 73.
34. Josephine Ng, “Is Breakfast Better with the Birds or the Beastie?” Sunday Times, 23 August 1987, 3 (From NewspaperSG); Jurong Bird Park, On Wings of Excellence, 53.
35. Angeline Song, “Private Love Nest to Coax Birds to Breed,” New Paper, 4 April 1989, 3. (From NewspaperSG)
36. “Park to Breed Rare Birds of Prey,” Sunday Times, 17 January 1988, 10; Tan Ee Sze, “Escaped Eagle Sets Stephen on a Career with Birds,” Straits Times, 16 January 1988, Section Two, 7. (From NewspaperSG)
37. “A Park Where You Can Learn about Birds and Nature,” Sunday Times, 10 April 1988, 12. (From NewspaperSG)
38. “$750,000 Flightless Birds Exhibit Opens at Bird Park,” Sunday Times, 28 May 1989, 28). 16. (From NewspaperSG)
39. Jurong Bird Park, On Wings of Excellence, 60.
40. Jurong Bird Park, On Wings of Excellence, 58, 60, 62, 90–96.
41. “Royal Treatment for First King Penguin Born in Tropics,” Sunday Times, 18 February 1996, 1. (From NewspaperSG)
42.  Ali, “Parrot Paradise is Bird Park's Latest Draw.”
43. Ng, Tiny Bird That’s an Apache in the Sky.”
44. Lea Wee, “Flock to Dinner with the Birds,” Straits Times, 16 January 2000, 10; “3 Attractions Team Up to Draw Visitors.” (From NewspaperSG)
45. Boo, “Take a Trip to Bird Park and Get a Taste of Botswana.”
46. Melissa Lin and Samantha Boh, “New Plans for Mandai Will Be ‘Sensitive to Area’,” Straits Times, 6 September 2014, 2–3. (From NewspaperSG)
47. Chin, “Bird Paradise Playground Closed after Boy Breaks Teeth.”



The information in this article is valid as at October 2023 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

 


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