New bird and rainforest parks to open in Mandai
Photo by: MSPH
The Jurong Bird Park will move to Mandai and reopen by 2020 as part of multi-billion dollar plans to develop integrated wildlife attractions in the area.
To be renamed The Bird Park, the new attraction will house one of the world’s largest collections of birds and have nine aviaries spanning 17 hectares of land.
The plans for the park and other attractions were unveiled at a media briefing on Wednesday (1 June) by Mandai Safari Park Holdings (MSPH), the holding company of Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS), which oversees the various attractions in Mandai. The first phase of development in Mandai is expected to cost around $1 billion.
Several popular features of the Jurong Bird Park will be recreated at the upcoming attraction, including a new waterfall and an amphitheatre to showcase bird performances.
With a strong focus on conservation, the Bird Park will house a breeding and research facility and highlight endangered Southeast Asian species such as the Bali Mynah and the Black-winged Starling.
Photo by: MSPH
The Rainforest Park, featuring the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, is another new attraction in Mandai, which will open by 2023.
Visitors to the park spanning over 12.5 hectares of land can expect to view wildlife at different angles from the forest floor to the treetop canopies.
Speaking at the briefing, Mike Barclay, Group CEO of MSPH, said a key focus of the development is to facilitate ease of travel for visitors to the parks and accessibility for the wildlife at the parks.
“We’re currently trying to make the parks more accessible. So we’re exploring the possibility of shuttle buses between Springleaf MRT, when it’s open, and the parks,” said Barclay. “There will be a nature bridge between the Bird Park and the Rainforest Park so that animals can cross over the parks safely on the bridge instead of the road.”
Photo by: MSPH
Another focus will be a new conservation, research and education centre to help visitors learn about the region’s biodiversity.
Together with the existing Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and River Safari in Mandai, the Bird Park and Rainforest Park will provide an integrated nature and wildlife experience for visitors, said Barclay.
“Generations of Singaporeans have grown up with Jurong Bird Park and the wildlife parks in Mandai. This project provides an opportunity for renewal, and to deepen our collective affinity with the nature and wildlife of our region.”
