THE desire to visit the recently opened Bird Paradise resurfaces after coming across a related first day cover at a philatelic sale organised by the Kreta Ayer Stamp Society.
Held at the non-profit hobby group's base at Singapore's bustling Chinatown Complex, the popular weekend fair features reasonably priced philatelic selections that never fail to attract local stamp collectors as well as hobbyists from across the causeway.
Taking the chance discovery as a sign to stop procrastinating the long overdue visit, a journey north ensues after a hearty Hainanese chicken rice meal at the nearby Chinatown Complex Food Centre.
HABITATS COME ALIVE
Situated within the lush Mandai Wildlife Reserve, the Bird Paradise features 10 zones, including eight carefully themed and choreographed walk-through aviaries designed to encourage discovery at every turn.
Home to some 3,500 birds from over 400 avian species, these enclosures are inspired by native landscapes and cultural influences from various world regions. Supporting these innovative experiences are a state-of-the-art avian hospital and a comprehensive breeding facility.
The habitats come to life during my walkabout with the bird songs and it is a joy to observe natural avian behaviour from taking flight to feeding, nesting and foraging through the undergrowth.
Inspired by contrasting ecologies and habitats, this emphasis on environments gives visitors the opportunity to fully appreciate the relation between the avian species and their natural ambiance.
The Heart of Africa section transports visitors to mysterious continental African valleys complete with elevated canopy, dense misty forest and meandering river experiences.
Stunningly recreated Southeast Asian bamboo forests and sloping rice terraces are highlights at the Wings of Asia aviary where the endangered Baer's Pochard and Milky Stork call home.
SLEEPING WITH PENGUINS
Encounters with oceanic bird life like the Gentoo Penguin, King Penguin, Humboldt Penguin and Northern Rockhopper Penguin at the Penguin Cove are made even more memorable for those participating in the Glamping with the Penguins experience.
The two-day-one-night escapade starts with reserved seating to watch the exciting Wings of the World presentation followed by a scrumptious dinner, before winding down with the flightless birds. Apart from enjoying the comfortable glamping bell tents, which can each accommodate up to a family of four, participants get to enjoy a special showcase of breathtaking Southern Lights. Hues of blues and greens stunningly light up the state-of-the-art indoor penguin habitat well into the night.
Aiming to be a leading conservation, education and research centre, the Bird Paradise is guided by the knowledge and experience accumulated from operating the former Jurong Bird Park which was Singapore's pioneer wildlife park when it first opened in 1971.
It is an understatement to say that the three-years-in-the-making move from Jurong to Mandai was a massive undertaking.
It included extended planning, comprehensive assessments and mitigation measures to fully ensure the complete safety and welfare of the birds and the staff involved.
Upon release into their new homes, the birds were closely monitored to ensure they are well adjusted and given sufficient time to settle into the new environments.
CONSERVATION PRIORITIES
Today, Jurong Bird Park's heritage and legacy lives on in the Bird Paradise through various iconic feature retention like the heliconia collection as well as the continued enhancement of existing education programmes, capacity-building initiatives and the protection of threatened bird species across the region.
With about the quarter of its avian population categorised as threatened, Bird Paradise proudly holds the record for having the highest percentage of endangered avian species under human care in a single zoological park.
Those critically endangered like the Philippine Eagle, Vietnam Pheasant and Negros Bleeding-heart are housed in the Winged Sanctuary, a zone specially dedicated to birds of high conservation value.
Conservation also takes centre stage through the stewardship of the world's largest living genetic reserve of hornbills under human care.
Together with a large collection of threatened Asian songbirds, the more than 20 hornbill species, including the Knobbed Hornbill and Sulawesi Hornbill, offer bountiful research and preservation opportunities.
This is enhanced through regional field conservation projects.
The success of Bird Paradise's long-term goals are augmented by precinct-wide sustainability efforts.
These include installing solar panels on roof spaces and the use of passive design for ambient temperature comfort through energy-efficient hybrid ventilation systems and ample tree cover.
Although all attractions are already accessible to the members of public, Bird Paradise visitors can continue to look forward to more exciting features set to open progressively through to 2025.
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