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SINGAPORE: Singapore will be home to Asia's first river-themed park, River Safari, in less than two years.
It will be the third nature-themed attraction in Mandai - after the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari.
Together, they are set to become a "must-see" nature-based destination in Asia.
"With its tropical rainforest setting and rich biodiversity, Mandai area provides a compelling contrast to the largely urban environment of Singapore, with the potential to attract five million visitors a year," said Senior Minister of State, Trade and Industry, S Iswaran.
And Wildlife Reserves Singapore is confident of its strong appeal.
Claire Chiang, Chairperson, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, said: "This therefore provides a platform, for recreation, for edutainment, and for tourism, we are positive that it is going to add value.
River Safari is also touted to be the world's first and only river-themed park. It is expected to attract at least 820,000 visitors annually. The park is expected to be completed by the first half of 2012.
The park will cost some $180 million to build - $40 million more than the previous budget due to rising costs.
For an admission fee of $28 to $30, visitors can enjoy boat rides and soak in the freshwater habitats of famous rivers.
Fanny Lai, Group CEO, Wildlife Reserves Singapore said: "Rivers such as the river Nile, Yangtze River, Mississippi, Amazon [and] even the frozen river of Tundra will be featured in the river safari.
"On top of that, we have two major theme park rides - white water rides where they can see Malayan Tigers, and the Southeast Asia habitat plus the Amazon slow boat ride where they go on a boat to see more than 20 different types of animals from the Amazon River."
The park will feature more than 300 plant species and 500 animal species.
These include creatures like the anaconda, electric eel and a 350kg mekong river catfish.
The animals are being brought in from various institutions through exchange programmes.
River Safari will also be home to the Giant Pandas from China when they arrive by the third quarter of 2011 as part of a joint collaboration with the China Wildlife Conservation Association.
Each panda is expected to consume some 20kg of bamboo. And for this, different species of bamboo, will be planted throughout the enclosure.
When operational, the park will open from 9am to 9pm.
A minute's silence was observed at the groundbreaking ceremony as a mark of respect to the late Dr Goh Keng Swee, the brainchild behind Jurong Bird Park which opened in 1971. - CNA/fa
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