With all the hype surrounding the new Bird Paradise, the Mandai Wildlife Group said in a release earlier today that three-quarters of the bird population is settling in at the new digs.
The rest are set to be relocated over the next few weeks – looks like they have a lot of time to spare till the official reopening in May.
Settling in
According to the Mandai Wildlife Group, plans and strategizing for the translocation began more than a year ago and over 100 staff members – from logistics and operations to veterinary care – were involved in the move.
Dr Luis Neves, Vice President of Animal Care at the Mandai Wildlife Group was happy to share that the birds are adapting well to the new environment and said that some started feasting on the new varieties of fruit trees and some began to weave nests on trees.
He added, “These are all the beginnings of feeling at home at Bird Paradise. Our priority is to help them settle in and ultimately, we want to see that the birds are enjoying great welfare and adjusting well to their new habitats.”
Practice makes perfect
They shared more details about the move in the release including how the team used positive reinforcements to help ease the stress of the move on the birds.
Using food rewards or treats, the birds are encouraged to enter the crates or pet boxes voluntarily and they also practised being accustomed to being in crates for a few minutes at regular intervals so moving day would be easier for them.
On top of that, the team themselves went through dry runs of the massive move including handling the birds, equipment checks and loading the trucks just so it would be perfect on moving day.
It’s gonna be May
The highly anticipated Bird Paradise will be soft launching on May 8, right next to animal park neighbors Singapore Zoo, River Wonders and Night Safari.
The 17-hectare park, which houses 3,500 birds from 400 species, has eight large walk-through aviaries, a penguin cove and a 2,000-seater Sky Amphitheatre.
Of all the birds under its care, 24% belong to species that are threatened. They include the Philippine Eagles, Negros Bleeding-heart Doves, Straw-headed Bulbuls, Black-winged Mynas and Blue-throated Macaws.
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