Animals: New “Bird Paradise” in Singapore: parade for thousands of birds

Animals
New “Bird Paradise” in Singapore: parade for thousands of birds

Huge move for thousands of birds in Singapore: In January, the famous Jurong Bird Park in the Southeast Asian city-state closed its doors after 52 years. Since then, the feathered inhabitants have been gradually brought safely and well packaged to their future home – the brand new “Bird Paradise” in the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, a good hour’s drive away. A few days ago, a major move took place: Among other things, parrots, hornbills and pelicans were relocated.

“When Bird Paradise opens in May, it will be home to 3,500 birds of 400 different species,” Mandai Wildlife Group said. The new location not only improves the living conditions, but also the breeding programs for the birds. The aviaries are larger and more adapted to the natural environment.

Threatened with extinction

Bird experts spent about a year developing strategies to safely and stress-free transport the different species with their different needs. Three quarters of the residents of Jurong Bird Park have now safely reached their new aviaries. “The birds are settling in well in their new environment, most are curious about their future habitat,” it said in a statement.

“Southeast Asia is a biodiversity hotspot, but many species are threatened with extinction, for example due to habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade,” said a spokesman for the Mandai Wildlife Group of the German Press Agency. 58 bird species from the region are already listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. “This includes species such as the yellow-crowned bulbul, native to Singapore, as well as the negros stab pigeon, the Philippine eagle and the Bali mynah, all of which can be found at Bird Paradise.” The new bird park is scheduled to open its doors on May 8th.

Bird Paradise website

dpa