After 52 Years, Asia's Biggest Bird Park Will Close January

JAKARTA - Jurong Bird Park, one of Singapore's oldest and most iconic attractions, announced it would stop operating after more than 50 years. However, there is some good news.

The world-famous garden, home to about 3,500 birds including ophids, flamingo, frames and eagles, will join the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, as well as the new luxury Banyan Tree resort, to form an ecotourism center north of Singapore.

The last day of Jurong Bird Park operating at its current location is January 3, 2023, 52 years since it opened in 1971. The upcoming Mandaik Eco hub is scheduled to open in 2023.

"Ada banyak dari kita yang bergabung dengan taman ini pada hari-hari awal dan telah berada di sini selama beberapa dekade," kata wakil presiden Jurong Bird Park Daisy, dilansir dari CNN Travel 10 September.

Built at an initial cost of 2.5 million US dollars, the 20-hectare park attracts about 850,000 visitors every year who flock to see the cages of its famous waterfalls, bird shows and exhibitions.

According to Singapore tourism authorities, this is Asia's largest bird park.

Since opening in 1971, when there were only 1,000 birds out of 60 species, the capacity of bird parks has grown rapidly, with now believed to contain more than 400 bird species.

Park attendants have also been involved in several rescue and rehabilitation attempts, a number of birds there over the years.

In 2018, one of the hornbills there battling aggressive cancer received the 3D-printed prosthesis, which was installed by a park veterinarian over its beak.

The group of park flamingo also received public attention, when a flamingo cub named Squish was seen walking around the captivity and research center, with a pair of glossy blue shoes to develop the strength of his feet, while protecting his foot pads from hard soil.

A rare wild carcass has come to national attention, when it deviated from its migration path and landed in Singapore last December.

Although no injuries were visible, the large and powerful bird found itself unable to fly. After receiving treatment at a hospital in the park, the nasar bird finally flew thanks to the help it received from the bird park staff.

It is known, Jurong Bird Park will continue regular operations until the closing is planned for January.

Meanwhile, staff will arrange a series of activities, tours and heritage lines that focus on the history of the Jurong Bird Park.