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Introduction
Imagine a single birdcage spanning an entire forest valley.
An unrealistic dream? Well, come to the Garden Route in South Africa and
see for yourself. This is the world’s largest free flight aviary, the
new Birds of Eden Bird Sanctuary situated outside Plettenberg Bay in the
Western Cape, South Africa.
This sanctuary opened its gates to the public on December 15,
2005 and houses approximately 3000 birds of 220 different species from
different continents.
The concept
This unique undertaking was initiated and developed by Tony
Blignaut, CEO of the Monkey land Primate Sanctuary adjacent to the new
aviary. Monkeyland is 12 hectare of indigenous forest encircled by high
electric fences where 12 species of previously caged primates from
across the world roam at will. This forest however did not allow for the
smaller species of the miniature monkeys and the idea to build another
sanctuary where the smaller primates incorporated with birds could find
safety, developed. After raising the necessary funds, the concept of
Birds of Eden was born.
The motivation behind the sanctuary was to create a free,
although enclosed, natural environment into which some marmosets and
tamarins, as well as previously caged birds of different species could
be released. The main aim was to focus on mostly African species, but to
also allow for a variety of pet birds to be offered a better life in
this ‘free’ but safe environment.
Design
The single span aviary covers a ground space of 2.1761
hectare. The frame structure comprises of 28 steel masts with heights
varying from 2 meters to 34 meters high. While the tallest mast is only
34 meters high, the dome reaches a height of 50 meters above the forest
floor taking the valley into account.
The masts, comprising of prefabricated steel frames of 1,8
meters sections, are linked by a series of cables varying in thickness.
Each mast is anchored to specially design underground “plugs” to allow
for flexibility. Over 100 kilometers of cables were used to create a
grid onto which the galvanized welded mesh rests. The wire mesh used to
encapsulate the bird park is sufficient to cover an area of 3,2 hectare
and weighs over 80 tons. The masts and mesh are painted green and 10 000
liters of paint were used. Around the perimeter the mesh is attached to
a concrete wall that also prevents predators from burrowing into the
sanctuary.
The aviary consists of 70% indigenous forest and the rest of
the area is made up of planted garden, lawns, grassland and several
dams. There are 1,2 kilometers of wooded, wheel-chair friendly walkways
of which 900 meters is elevated. The boardwalk starts relatively close
to the forest floor and winds its way up towards the canopy. There are
plenty of covered places where visitors can just relax and enjoy the
forest- and bird sounds. A suspension bridge of 48 meters (bathed in
mist from a special mist system) spans the gorge, as well as an
amphitheatre that can seat 200 people, a unique location for special
functions.
The water of the 250 meters river, running over a water fall
(with the walkway passing behind) and through the length of the park, is
pumped back in a closed system and through two natural lungs so no
pollution of any water systems is threatened by the existence of the
park.
There are two restaurants inside the dome comprising of four
options for seating, 1) in the forest on a deck, 2) outside the forest
on brick paving overlooking several dams with waterfowl and flamingoes,
3) on an island over the largest dam, or 4) at the dam wall wine bar
overlooking the largest dam with waterfowl and swans. Toilet facilities
are situated on different places throughout the park. A curio store is
situated at the exit to the sanctuary.
The entire project was built using unskilled local workmen.
They were trained in building skills and in aspects of safety and high
wire construction. Specially designed harnesses were used to allow
workers to spend extended periods rigging the skeleton of cables.
Personnel with abseiling experience were brought onboard to assist.
During the period needed for construction of the sanctuary there were
not a single IOD (injured on Duty) incident.
The project was completed in 4,5 years and inside the budget of R 9
million (ZAR).
Inhabitants
The inhabitants of the sanctuary ranges from a mixture of
exotic to African and indigenous birds. The birds stock come from
various places and includes previously caged pet birds. This is why a
great percentage of the inhabitants are completely tame and unafraid of
humans. The array of different birds incorporate about 180 species that
ranges from parrots, parakeets, hornbills, toucans, touracos, starlings,
thrushes, conures, cranes, flamingoes, ibises, waterfowl, swans as well
as tamarins and fruit bats.
A variety of once pet birds allow for close contact. This
sometimes means a nip on a finger or ear and even a snatch and grab from
a jewelry thief. Misplaced sounds like phones ringing in trees or a
“hello” from the canopy reminds a visitor of the human imprint still
present with a lot of these birds. All pet birds go through a process of
rehabilitation before being released into the sanctuary.
Interactions between the different species of birds are quite
remarkable. It is more likely for birds of the same species to have a
squabble than across the specie line. Visitors will find to their
amazement species like macaws, toucans, starlings and doves eating
together
from the same feed platform, and then throw in a tamarin or two to make
it even more amazing!
Diet and husbandry
The birds and animals are provided with a variety of foods
twice a day. The foods are prepared daily and comprises of freshly cubed
fruit and vegetables, a mixture of different sprouted seeds as well as
specially formulated made up diets for the insect eating and more
specialized feeders. These foods provide in the requirements of all the
inhabitants.
The fresh food and sprouted seeds are fed in stainless steel
bowls sunken into specially designed suspended steel feeders attached to
the boardwalk rails. This minimize human disturbance to the forest
floor. These feeders and others are spread throughout the park and cater
for all. All platforms are disinfected twice a day and the bowls
replaced daily to provide the birds with the best possible care.
Since the birds have free access to all food fed, a lot of
pre planning went into the initial diet formulation to cater for all
inhabitants. We also had to keep in mind the birds with more specialized
dietary requirements of birds like toucans, flamingoes, etc. We allow
for some wastage to ensure that there is always food available for the
more timid birds. The birds are served with more than 2000 kilograms of
food monthly.
Because of the enormity of the aviary, the intense keeping
that normally goes hand in hand with animals has been reduced
significantly. This means less staff is required to manage the bird
stock and the aviary at this stage only required general upkeep.
Rehabilitation of birds
A great number of the birds come from being previously housed
in small, suspended aviaries or indoor cages. Releasing birds from these
backgrounds into their new environment can be risky. We had great
success in rehabilitating ex pets by first, after the initial quarantine
period, exposing them to other birds, moving them outdoors into small
sheltered aviaries, then into bigger flight aviaries where they could
developed their flight muscles and then only into the actual sanctuary.
The biggest challenge to almost all ex pets was to learn to
control flight. Most of them could fly, but controlling their flight
proved to be the challenge. Landing also proved to be an art. Most of
the time the landings ended in a crash into the branches of a tree.
Getting down from the trees became the next difficult step. Much time
were spent by staff luring birds out of trees, especially the larger
parrots. Finding a route out of the tree became easier with every
attempt.
The adaptation of the birds to their new “wild” environment
has surprised everybody. The instinct of the birds allow for them to
cope with the natural factors they had to face like finding the food and
water, finding shelter against the weather and flying.
Watching these previously caged birds fly is an awesome
sight. Birds of Eden is the only place in South Africa where a visitor
that will never have the chance to see these birds in the wild, can
enjoy watching a group of birds like macaws, cockatoos, conures,
pigeons, ducks and even ibises fly together, circling around and
maneuvering through trees.
Visitor access
Visitors to Birds of Eden Free Flight Sanctuary enter the
park through a single entrance where an entrance fee is charged. The
aviary allows for self-guided walks thanks to the layout of the
boardwalk. Guided tours can be arranged at an extra charge where the
bird keepers themselves will escort visitors through the park,
explaining more about the birds as well as the construction and history
of the park. Identification of the birds is made easier by the
photographic guide available at the entrance.
The guide booklet consists of photos of the bird species all
photographed in the park, as well as name, Latin name, distribution,
habitat and diet. A second updated booklet is in the process of print
since new bird species have been added to the collection.
Visitors are treated to a unique forest experience with a
magical array of sounds coming from the canopy. Surrounded by the
orchestra of birds do not necessary mean it is easy to actually see the
birds. Looking for them is part of the journey. Feeding time makes
spotting them easier since the birds come down to the platforms to feed.
A visit to the bird sanctuary can take visitors anything from
two to five hours to complete. The availability of various benches
encourages visitors to sit and soak up the experience of the forest and
the birds inside this unique sanctuary. Young and old will delight in
the visit.
The future
The future of the bird park looks promising as the reactions
and comments of visitors are very positive and encouraging. Memberships,
which include free entry to the sanctuary for a year, have also grown in
numbers. A combined entry into Birds of Eden and the sister primate
sanctuary, Monkeyland, have also become very popular.
We look forward to showcasing this unique project to the bird and animal
lovers of the world.
Fact sheet
1. The area of the bird park is 2,3 hectare (23,000sq meters).
2. The structure comprises 27 masts of varying heights, between 34
meters and 2 meters.
3. While the tallest mast is only 34 meters high, the highest point of
the dome above the ground is 50m as the canyon breaks away.
4. The masts are linked by a series of cables which are anchored to
specially constructed underground “plugs”, there are several 100
kilometres of cable used to create a grid of cable onto which, the bird
mesh will rest.
5. The bird mesh has an area of 3,2 hectares and weighs 80 tonnes.
6. The sanctuary is the biggest single free flight aviary in the World.
7. Birds of Eden opened the 15th of December 2005
8. There are several special features about Birds of Eden;
• There is a walk behind waterfall
• The birds are in free flight – there are no cages.
• There is an amphitheatre, which can seat 200 people.
• The sanctuary is wheelchair friendly.
• There are 1,2kms of walkways of which 900m is elevated.
• 70% of the area of the dome encapsulates pristine indigenous forest.
• The main dam is bustling with koi fish.
• Birds of Eden incorporates several dams, the largest has an island
lunch-deck with plenty of seating - light meals are served here.
• The snack bar and restaurant in Birds of Eden are both outsourced and
comprises of 4 options for seating,
1) in the forest at the snack bar,
2) outside the forest near the snack bar
3) On the lunch-deck at the main dam
4) on the bank of the main dam.
• There are approximately 3,000 birds in the aviary, comprising over 220
species, note that these numbers increase constantly.
• The masts is made of wire mesh. It is painted green for a more natural
‘look’. 10 tons of paint (10,000 litres) was required to complete this
paint job.
• The river running over the waterfall and through the length of the
bird park (200m) is pumped back in a closed system. There is therefore
no pollution of any water sources in the sanctuary.
Source: official web of
Birds of Eden (2010)
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