The idea of a Bird Park in Jurong was first conceived in 1968 by Dr Goh Keng Swee, the then Minister for Finance. During a World Bank Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Dr Goh visited a zoological garden and was impressed with its free-flight aviary.

He saw that Jurong would be more than an industrial zone for Singaporeans where people could relax with nature. All this Dr Goh saw in the Jurong Bird Park, which would be the first of its kind in Southeast Asia.

The western slope of Jurong Hill (Bukit Perepok) was chosen in December 1968.

While the Park was being built, the Park’s officials urged ambassadors and foreign dignitaries to Singapore to contribute birds for the new park. Soon, birds from all over the world finches, pheasants, herons, mallards, owls, cockatoos began arriving. By opening day, 12 countries, 7 zoos and 40 private donors had contributed birds to the Park.

On 3 January 1971, Jurong Bird Park was opened to the public. It was built at a cost of $3.5 million, excluding land cost.