The Bali Bird Park adds to tourist attractions in Bali
The Bali Bird Park adds to tourist attractions in Bali
By Intan Petersen
DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Bali, the prima donna of Indonesian
tourism, has been increasingly adding to its tourist attractions.
Last year 2.1 million international tourists, 55 percent of
the international tourists came to Indonesia, visited the island.
Two years ago, the Waterboom Park was built in Tuban, outside
of Kuta. The 3.5 hectare park, the only one in Indonesia,
provides gallons of aquatic fun for children and adults on its
slides and simulated rivers.
Work on the Garuda Wisnu Kencana project, which will be the
world's largest statue, began in September. It will stand 125
meters high, will cost about Rp 530 billion (US$232 million) and
is scheduled to be completed in 1998.
The statue, designed by Nyoman Nuarta, will be taller than the
Statue of Liberty in New York City and will include a 170 hectare
cultural park. It is located 15 minutes by car from the Ngurah
Rai Airport.
The Bali Bird Park opened last month. The 2.5 hectare park
cost US$2 million to build. The park, located in Singapadu
Village, 18 kilometers from Denpasar, is a joint venture between
a Swiss and an Indonesian company under the umbrella of PT. Taman
Burung Citra Bali International.
The Bali Bird Park doesn't compare to Jurong Bird Park in
Singapore, but, nevertheless, it is beautifully landscaped with a
lagoon and a large variety of flowers.
Two unique attractions, a walk-in aviary and a Komodo dragon
enclosure, are hoped to draw visitors. The simulated rain forest
aviary has 40 birds flying freely. Visitors can catch glimpses of
birds of paradise and other tropical birds from the sheltered
paths. The Komodo Dragon Park, allows visitors to watch the
monitor lizards in conditions similar to that on Komodo island.
The Bali Bird Park has 2,500 birds from 150 species.
Indigenous birds make up 60 percent of the total with the rest
coming from Australia, Africa, South America, Hawaii and Germany.
The birds have been procured from various parks which run
endangered species programs.
The bird park is the only park to have 10 bird of paradise
species from Irian Jaya.
"Since Bali is a tourist destination, we are also trying to
promote other tourist destinations in Indonesia through these
birds here, such as the bird of paradise from Irian Jaya," said
Edi Swoboda, the managing director of the park. "It is incorrect
to think that this park is only designated for tourists. We also
want Indonesian to enjoy this park as a means to educate their
children," he added.
Caring for the birds is difficult, Edi said. "The feed for the
flamingos, for example, has to be imported as it consists of
plankton and shrimp."
Like the five star hotels in Nusa Dua, the Bali Bird Park is
also environmentally-oriented. You can start your day by having
breakfast with a friendly parrot or cockatoo in an open air
restaurant.