New wildlife park Bird Paradise to open on May 8 with reduced entrance fee during soft opening period
Visitors can pre-book their admission tickets and any add-on programmes from Apr 24.
Hong Leong Foundation Crimson Wetlands (left) will be home to flocks of scarlet ibises and roseate spoonbills while the Kuok Group Wings of Asia aviary will feature species like the Asian black-neck stork and Papuan hornbills. (Photos: Mandai Wildlife Group)
SINGAPORE: Singapore's new bird park at Mandai Wildlife Reserve - Bird Paradise - will open its doors on May 8 with discounted tickets during its soft opening period.
The 17ha attraction will be open daily from 9am to 6pm, with last admission into the park at 5pm, said Mandai Wildlife Group in a media release on Thursday (Mar 30).
For its soft opening period from May 8 to May 26, single-park admission tickets will be S$38 (US$29) for adults, S$23 for children aged three to 12 years old, and S$20 for senior citizens.
Members of the public can pre-book their admission tickets and any add-on programmes from Apr 24, with visit dates from May 8.
Tickets for visits from May 27 will be at the full price of S$48 for adults, S$33 for children aged three to 12 years old, and S$20 for senior citizens.
Bird Paradise is home to 3,500 birds from 400 species, said Mandai Wildlife Group, who added that the park will have some of the world's most threatened species. This includes the Philippine eagles, the Negros bleeding-heart doves and the blue-throated macaws.
The park counts the world's largest population of hornbills under human care among its residents. Many of these hornbills will be flying free in some of the eight walk-through aviaries on the grounds.
The aviaries were inspired by different habitats from around the globe such as the dense African rainforests, South American wetlands and Southeast Asian paddy fields.
Group CEO of Mandai Wildlife Group Mike Barclay said the animal care team and veterinarians have been carrying out the "mammoth task" of moving more than 3,000 birds from Jurong to the Mandai Wildlife Reserve.
Their previous home, Jurong Bird Park, closed on Jan 3 this year.
Mr Barclay said the "great migration" was a first-time experience for both the birds and the employees.
"I am glad to share that they are all settling in well at their new home. We look forward to welcoming everyone who’s eager to visit the new park during this run-in period."
NEW SHOWS, BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOURS
Two new avian presentations will take flight at the Sky Amphitheatre - Predators on Wings and Wings of the World.
The two shows will have a new format and content, while retaining some elements from the previous Kings of the Skies and High Flyers presentations at Jurong Bird Park, said the wildlife group.
Guests can also opt for a keeper-led experience or take a "backstage pass" to discover what goes into caring for the birds at the park.
These include an exclusive look into the Avian Healthcare and Research Centre, where vets can be seen in action as they provide the best care for their charges.
This experience also offers a glimpse of the many conservation breeding programmes that the park participates in, including ones for Asian Songbirds and threatened parrot species.
Additional behind-the-scenes tours will be launched throughout the year, said Mandai Wildlife Group.
Go on a discovery tour or behind the scenes
Those who want to learn more about the park's avian residents can opt for a walking tour with their own wildlife guide.
The Bird Discovery Tour - held daily from 10.30am to 12pm, and 3.30pm to 5pm - costs S$400 per group on weekdays and S$500 per group on weekends. Each group can accommodate a maximum of eight people.
If you prefer a peek behind the scenes, take part in the Avian Care Backstage Pass, held daily from 2pm to 3pm.
Visitors will be able to catch a vet in action at the Avian Healthcare and Research Centre and see how the park's wildlife nutritionists prepare meals at the Nutrition Centre.
The activity costs S$118.40 per person on weekdays and S$148 per person on weekends and public holidays.
Feeding sessions also offer visitors yet another opportunity to get up close and personal with the park's feathered residents. For S$8 per session, guests can feed starlings, African hornbills, pelicans and lories.
All proceeds from animal feedings go towards the conservation projects that Mandai Wildlife Group supports in Singapore and across the region.
For repeat visits to the park, local residents can join the Friends of Wildlife membership from Apr 24. The membership provides year-round access to all four wildlife parks including Bird Paradise, as well as other benefits such as priority privileges, wildlife experiences and discounts.
Annual fees start from S$195 for Friends of Wildlife and S$245 for Friends of Wildlife Plus.
DINE AND SHOP SUSTAINABLY
Next to the park is Mandai Wildlife West, a "public node" with a variety of dining and retail options.
Access to the new ungated public node is free, says Mandai Wildlife Group, adding that the area serves as the main arrival area for visitors to Bird Paradise and the upcoming Rainforest Wild.
Among the eateries are Luke's Lobster, a gelato boutique and sandwich bar by Birds of Paradise as well as fast food chain A&W. Those in need of some retail therapy can also visit Unpackt, a homegrown zero-waste grocery and lifestyle store.
"These tenants will bring a mix of eco-friendly dining and shopping experiences through plant-based menus, sustainably sourced ingredients, and using recycled materials and environmentally friendly packaging in their operations," said the group.
Food waste will also be recycled at Mandai Wildlife West in a food digester which can decompose two tons of food waste in 24 hours.
"A range of initiatives to encourage guests to make better choices to benefit people, wildlife and nature are embedded across the Mandai Wildlife Reserve precinct," the group added.
These include charging stations for electric vehicles, bike racks, recycling bins as well as water points for drinking in place of single-use plastic bottles.
