Introduction
Have you heard of caged jungle? We might have not heard or
seen about this concept anywhere in Indian museums. Our museums are noted for
cramming for spaces meant for the animals and birds. They would be seen in
cages with little spaces. As a result, the hapless animals and birds don’t get
much freedom to roam around. A visit to the bird and butterfly parks in the
heart of Kuala Lumpur city would take away the concept of closed museums that
are seen in India. The proximity of the parks to the city centre does not
affect the winged inhabitants of the two parks. A visitor would see the scenery
calm and tranquilizing. He would never get the feeling that he was in a place
near the city centre. This would make us lower heads in shame for not
conceiving such a set up to end the torments of the caged living beings at zoos
and museums in our country.
KL Bird Park
The two parks are located just 10 minutes away from the Kuala
Lumpur city centre, which is infested with many high-rise buildings. The
visitor needs to enter into the park through a string of green chains dangling
from the park entrance. He has to open a mesh door to reach a totally different
world. This sprawling world of herbs, shrubs and trees offer a safe haven for
the inhabitants. The bird park has over 3000 birds roughly belonging to 200
species. Some of these birds are local in origin, whereas most of the others
are imported and habituated to the new place. As one enters this wonderful
world, he would hear the chirping, cawing and croaking sounds of winged
inhabitants. In between, one would hear the raindrops tip-tapping on the
ground. The bird park has a total area of 21 acres. The visitors can get themselves
photographed with exotic birds found inside the park.
About the KL Bird Park
In 1988, the existing lake garden was converted
to the bird park with the aim of educating the life and rearing of birds and teaching
the students about them. This park was the brainchild of British state
treasurer of Selangor Alfred Venning. Now the area has an artificial lake, hibiscus
garden, a deer park and a bird park. Incidentally, the hibiscus flower is the
national flower of Malaysia. The park has been set up in an area that has a
roof that prevents the inhabitants from escaping the place. This enclosure has been partitioned into a
number of zones that accommodate appropriate types of birds. For instance, the
flightless birds like emu and ostrich occupy the grassy side of the park and
the flamingos, the pelicans, etc. are accommodated near an artificial waterfall.
The country’s national bird Hornbill is also found in the park. The students
and other children can avail the park’s bird show that portrays the birds in
their habitats. This is said to excite the children. The winged habitat is said
to peacefully co-exist with the sprawling malls and other commercial establishments
without latter affecting the birds.
