Jurong Bird Park is one of Singapore’s most iconic attractions. Since opening in 1971, it has delighted visitors with its huge aviaries and diverse collection of over 5,000 birds. However, in recent years, Jurong Bird Park has faced challenges and changes. This article explores the history of Jurong Bird Park, analyzes the reasons for its decline, and considers its future prospects.
The Early Years of Success
Jurong Bird Park first opened its doors on January 3, 1971. It was Asia’s largest bird park at the time, built on a 20.2 hectare site in the southwest region of Singapore. The park was conceptualized and designed by renowned ornithologist Dr Goh Kee Tau. Jurong Bird Park was part of a wider plan by the government to develop the Jurong district and boost tourism.
In its early years, Jurong Bird Park saw great success. By 1985, it was attracting 450,000 visitors annually. Several aviaries and exhibits were expanded or constructed in the 1970s and 1980s to accommodate the park’s growth. Key exhibits that opened during this period included:
- The African Waterfall Aviary, home to free-flying African birds.
- The Southeast Asian Birds Aviary, focused on species from the region.
- The Lory Loft, the world’s largest lory flight aviary.
- The Birds of Prey Center to display raptors.
By the 1990s, Jurong Bird Park was a major tourist attraction. It boasted the world’s tallest artificial waterfall at 30 meters in the African Waterfall Aviary. In the 1990s and 2000s, Jurong Bird Park focused on adding interactive exhibits like bird shows and feeding stations. It retained its position as one of Singapore’s top attractions.
Challenges and Decline
From the 2000s onwards, Jurong Bird Park started facing challenges that would eventually lead to its decline.
Competition from other attractions
One major factor was increased competition from other tourist attractions in Singapore. As the tourism industry grew, new wildlife parks and nature reserves emerged. For example, the Singapore Zoo opened in 1973, the Night Safari in 1994, and River Safari in 2012. These attractions offered fresh experiences that competed directly against Jurong Bird Park for visitors.
Changing trends in tourism
Tourism trends started shifting towards attractions that provided more interactive and immersive experiences. Bird shows and aviaries started to feel stale in comparison. Younger visitors were also more compelled by Instagrammable moments. Jurong Bird Park’s old-school exhibit-based approach became less appealing.
Increased operating costs
Operating a huge bird park with thousands of birds was also becoming more expensive. Costs for bird food, aviary maintenance, veterinary care and manpower kept rising over the decades. For example, the park’s electricity bill hit S$1.8 million in 2018 due to the high energy costs of cooling aviaries.
Declining visitor numbers
By the 2010s, visitor numbers to Jurong Bird Park were in steady decline. From a high of 850,000 visitors in 2002, numbers fell to 455,000 by 2017. Lower visitor numbers hurt revenue and made it harder to sustain high operating costs.
Several strategies were undertaken to try to revitalize the park, such as discounts, new shows and attractions. A S$500,000 makeover was given in 2012 to refresh exhibits. However, the decline continued through the 2010s, exacerbated by competition from newer attractions.
Closure and Relocation Plans
In 2020, operator Wildlife Reserves Singapore announced plans to close and relocate Jurong Bird Park. The last day of operations at the current site will be January 3, 2022 – its 51st anniversary. The park will be closing primarily due to its aging infrastructure. Many of its old aviaries require replacement and modernization.
A new Jurong Bird Park will be built at Mandai to integrate it with the Singapore Zoo and other attractions. The new park aims to be more interactive and immersive, with exhibits like a penguin colony and indoor forest. Construction is slated to complete in 2023. Until then, the old Jurong Bird Park will operate until January 2022 when operations cease.
Reasons for Relocation
There are several reasons why relocation was chosen:
- Aging aviaries with high maintenance costs
- Wanting newer exhibits to attract visitors
- Synergies from combining with Mandai attractions
- Mandai site enables larger and more immersive exhibits
Overall, redeveloping Jurong Bird Park at Mandai will allow it to be revamped with modern aviaries and exhibits more sustainably.
Fate of the Current Site
The current 20 hectare site of Jurong Bird Park will be redeveloped for other uses. Planned developments include:
- Public housing estate
- New polyclinic
- Retail and dining outlets
- Parks and community spaces
Some iconic landmarks like the waterfall may be preserved for heritage. Redevelopment aims to integrate the site into Jurong Lake District and benefit surrounding communities.
The Future of Jurong Bird Park
The new Jurong Bird Park at Mandai aims to revitalize and reinvent Singapore’s bird park attraction. Exciting plans include:
More Immersive Exhibits
Key new exhibits planned are an indoor African rainforest and Southeast Asian aviary. These allow free flight of birds in naturalistic habitats. A large penguin colony exhibit with Antarctic theming is also planned. More immersive encounters will enhance visitor experience.
Conservation Focus
More focus will be placed on bird conservation education. There are dedicated breeding facilities on site for threatened species. Exhibits will highlight avian ecology and human impacts. The new park aims to inspire visitors to protect birds.
Combining with Mandai Attractions
The Mandai site allows integrating Jurong Bird Park with the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and River Safari. Visitors can experience all in one destination. Shared back-of-house facilities also improve efficiency.
Major Reinvestment
Over S$500 million is budgeted for the new Jurong Bird Park at Mandai. This major reinvestment will fund modern exhibits to sustain the park. With continued reinvestment and integration with Mandai, Jurong Bird Park is poised for a new lease of life.
Conclusion
Jurong Bird Park has faced declining visitor numbers and aging infrastructure in recent years. However, the upcoming move to Mandai represents a new chapter. With exciting new exhibits, stronger integration with other wildlife parks, and major reinvestment, Jurong Bird Park is gearing up to wow visitors once again. Its reinvention aims to secure its position as a world-class bird park for decades to come.