One of Singapore’s oldest and most popular attractions, Jurong Bird Park, is set to close its doors for good after more than 50 years.
While Asia’s biggest bird park is closing down, some good news will stem from the move. The world-famous park, along with Singapore Zoo, the Night Safari, and a new luxury Banyan Tree resort, will be forming a new eco-tourism hub in northern Singapore.
Jurong Bird Park will close for good at the start of next year on 3 January 2023, 52 years to the day it opened in 1971. Upon closing, the new Mandai eco hub is slated to open in 2023.
Jurong Bird Park – Asia’s biggest bird park
When the park first opened, it housed around 1,000 birds. The world-famous park is now home to some 3,500 birds, including parrots, flamingos, penguins, eagles and more.
When announcing the parks closure, Vice President, Daisy Ling, said, “There are many of us who joined the organization in its early days and have been here over the decades.”
The park was initially built at the cost of $2.5 million. It draws in around 850,000 visitors annually who come to see the bird shows and exhibits and the famed waterfall aviary. According to Singapore Tourism, it is the largest bird park in Asia.
Asia’s biggest bird park is closing down – but it’s not all bad news
Jurong Bird Park will be receiving its final visitors on 3 January 2023. It has been one of the most popular things to do in Singapore for many years.
However, the good news is that the thousands of birds housed there will be moving to the brand-new Bird Paradise at Mandai Wildlife Reserve, the site that also hosts Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari.
The last 51 years of service at the bird park have brought many happy memories for the people of Singapore and those who travel there.
If you want to visit the original site before it closes its doors, make sure to head down before the start of January next year to capture your last moments of nostalgia.
The good the park has done – rescue and rehabilitation
Park officers have been involved in some tremendous high-profile rescue and rehabilitation cases over the decades.
In 2018, one of the park’s hornbills was battling an aggressive form of cancer. The veterinarians at the park were able to fit a 3D-printed prosthesis on top of its bill as treatment.
A chick flamingo named Squish caught public attention after it was spotted walking around the research centre will shiny blue shoes on. This was an effort to strengthen the bird’s legs as well as protect the foot pads from the hard ground.
Last year, a vulture veered off its migratory path and landed in Singapore. Despite no visible injuries, it couldn’t fly. After rehabilitation at the park, the bird took flight thanks to encouragement from the park staff.
