Azhar Nazir and Chia Chee Kiang Gerren

Jurong BirdPark, Singapore

 

Azhar and Gerren were selected by Jurong BirdPark management to attend the Sylvan Heights Avian Husbandry & Management Program. Jurong BirdPark is considered to be the largest avian collection in the world, having 9,000 birds and 600 species. Azhar holds a Bird Trainer/Presenter position while Gerren is a Keeper who assists in the avian breeding programs at the park.

 

Not only did they have a lot to learn about waterfowl husbandry, they also experienced a new world on their first trip to the United States. Gerren, who loves hummingbirds, was thrilled to wake up the first morning and hear the bee-like sound of the hummingbirds outside the window. He explained that in Singapore, hummingbirds were not found anywhere in the city except the Jurong BirdPark. The first morning was also significant for Azhar, who first noticed a marked difference in the humidity from what he was used to (it was much lower) and was greeted by the call of a white peacock that lived outside at the Lubbock’s home.  

 

Both were excited to be at Sylvan Heights and the assessment of their stay at Sylvan Heights is summarized below. 

There was definitely a lot for us to learn during our two weeks in the Avian Husbandry Program. We‘ve had some problems with our Cotton Teal and swans. Mike gave us some good advice concerning water quality. He also helped us with a problem we’re having hatching ostriches and emus. The worst thing we could do is to not suggest implementing at our park what we have learned at Sylvan Heights.

 

The hands-on aspect of learning aviculture is very good, giving much more insight than just reading books. Every aspect of aviculture is there for you to see and try for yourself. It all comes directly from Mike Lubbock or Nick Hill, they are the ones actually showing us the procedures. This level of learning could not be done using the traditional classroom style. The Avian Husbandry Manual helps to explain the correct techniques when it comes to catching and handling birds as well as hatching eggs and rearing young. The manual also serves as a reminder of all the practical information we learned from Mike and Nick. There is no better place than Sylvan Heights to learn aviculture techniques.

Not only have we benefited from the Avian Program itself, but also from sharing experiences with the keepers from other zoos who were in the program with us. This has actually enhanced our knowledge on birds by hearing what they’ve encountered in their collections. The exchange of ideas has been invaluable.