The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) will partner with Temasek Holdings to create a large-scale nature project in the Mandai precinct, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) announced in a press release on Wednesday (Jan 14).
Temasek is the majority shareholder of Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS), which operates the existing stable of Mandai attractions - the Singapore Zoo, the Night Safari and the River Safari - and Jurong Bird Park. It submitted a “compelling proposal to build on their existing attractions to shape Mandai into a leading nature destination in Asia”, said MTI.
According to Temasek, the first phase alone, scheduled to be completed by 2020, will cost about S$1 billion.
“The development is still in its early stages. Based on our estimates and this very draft plan, as well as some of the benchmarks that we have done, phase one of the project could cost about a billion dollars,” said Temasek’s Managing Director of Enterprise Development Neo Gim Huay. “Phase one will include relocation and rejuvenation of the Bird Park, as well as opening up public access areas for everyone to enjoy.”
The planned development of Mandai was first announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in September last year. When completed, the precinct outside the Nature Reserves will comprise about 120 hectares, MTI said. This will include the development of new attractions that will be integrated with the existing Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and River Safari. Already, these attractions draw close to 5 million visitors annually.
Temasek said in its own press release on Tuesday that the site includes the former Mandai orchid farm and an abandoned village. Describing the project as an “integrated wildlife and nature heritage precinct”, it said the development will be a “multi-generation endeavour” that is expected to be completed in phases over about 10 years.
In addition to new public spaces and waterfront trails, the space will also be used for research and conservation, MTI said.
The idea of a “cageless zoo” is being explored, said Ms Neo, “where we introduce large immersive habitats where the visitors can immerse themselves in the natural habitats of the animals watching them in their natural behaviours - whether it’s foraging for food, nesting or even doing courtship. Every visit will be different and every visit will be an adventure in itself”.
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