As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Tuesday 19 January 2016

Bird sanctuary with 3,000 exotic birds faces uncertain fate

PUBLISHEDJAN 17, 2016, 5:00 AM SGT

Farm in Mandai allowed to breed them will have to return state land to SLA at end of lease

For more than two decades, a bird sanctuary located down a winding lane off Mandai Road has greeted visitors with a cacophony of whistles and chirps.

Within its 2ha compound at 31 Lorong Lada Hitam, the Mandai Birds Sanctuary boasts eight aviaries with more than 3,000 exotic birds across 124 species.

But its fate now remains uncertain. The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) has asked for the state land back by May.

It has previously been reported that the idea of relocating the Jurong Bird Park to Mandai as part of a proposed rejuvenation of the Mandai precinct is being explored. However, it is unclear if the two are linked.

The sanctuary's co-founder, Mr Daniel Teo, who is also a property developer, received a final notice to vacate two months ago.

"It is very sad," said the 72-year- old. "We've thousands of birds here, some of which are endangered species too. And we've staff who've been with us since the start. What will happen to us now?"

Mr Teo and his friend, Mr Patrick Tay, pumped in millions to start the sanctuary, which they hoped would go beyond its primary purpose of commercial breeding to encourage conservation efforts of endangered species, such as the black palm cockatoo.

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