Jurong Bird Park

Jurong Bird Park is an aviary and tourist attraction in Jurong, Singapore. The bird park, managed by Wildlife Reserves Singapore, covers an area of 0.2 square kilometres (49 acres) on the western slope of Jurong Hill, the highest point in the Jurong region.

Wildlife Reserves Singapore reported on 1 June 2016 that in 2020, Jurong Bird Park will be relocated to 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826, with a new name for the Bird Park. For now, operation continues as per normal.

History
The idea of a permanent aviary was first conceived by the late Dr Goh Keng Swee, then Minister for Finance, in 1968. During a World Bank meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Dr Goh visited its zoological garden and was impressed with its free-flight aviary. He set out to ensure that Singaporeans would have a place where they could escape from urban life and relax with nature.

Work on the aviary started in January 1969. A 35-acre site on the western slope of Bukit Peropok in Jurong was chosen for the project. The bird park was expected to be completed by the end of 1969.

On 3 January 1971, Jurong Bird Park, built at a cost of S$3.5 million, was opened to the public.

Jurong Bird Park is now a world-famous bird zoo where there are specimens of magnificent bird life from around the world, including a large flock of flamingos. It is currently the world's largest bird park in terms of the number of birds, and second largest both in the number of bird species and land area (after Germany's Weltvogelpark Walsrode). There are 5,000 birds of 400 species in Jurong Bird Park, of which 29 are of threatened species.

In 2006, Jurong Bird Park completed a S$10 million makeover. As a result of the upgrade, the park got a new entrance plaza, a park-owned and managed Bongo Burgers restaurant, an ice cream parlour, a gift shop and a bird hospital.

Colourful attractions
Closeup shot of a Caribbean Toucan Bird and a boy at Jurong Bird Park
Don’t miss the Waterfall Aviary, one of the world’s largest walk-in aviaries, home to more than 600 birds and a 30-metre-high waterfall.

There are other star attractions at this sprawling park, including the world’s largest walk-in lory flight aviary at over nine stories high, where you’ll get close to 15 colourful lory species, and the impressive Penguin Coast where you’ll find many species of these flightless birds.

There is also Flamingo Lake with hundreds of these strutting birds, and nearby Pelican Cove, with the world’s most complete collection of pelicans.

Winged wonders
Be entertained by majestic creatures of flight. Witness the heat of the hunt as mighty eagles, falcons and hawks show off their moves during the Kings of the Skies Show, or be part of the flock at the High Flyers Show.

Families hoping to instill a love of nature in their little ones should encourage their children to make some feathered friends at Lunch With Parrots. Alternatively, drop by Birdz of Play, the bird-themed water playground, for a soaking good time under the giant tipping bucket, zipping across the Flying Fox and even arcade games.

Jurong Bird Park

• Address: 2 Jurong Hill, Singapore 628925
• Opened: January 3, 1971
• Operating Hours: Daily, 8.30am - 6pm
• No. of species: 500
• Exhibits: Dinosaur Descendents, Lory Loft, African Waterfall Aviary