Public takes to new exhibit like ducks to water

By Hong Xinyi

DUCKS are sly little creatures.

They look as if they are gliding along effortlessly on the water's surface but their feet are paddling furiously at about 8 kmh.

The amount of legwork they put in to maintain their unruffled demeanour in the water can be witnessed at Jurong BridPark's new exhibit, The Riverine.

The simulated tropical freshwater river habitat, with its 11-m wide glass viewing gallery and more than 90 newly-imported ducks from the Netherlands, has been attracting hordes of fascinated children since it opened in February, said the park's executive director, Dr Wong Hun Mun.

Eleven-year-old Ali bin Abdul Wahid was riveted by the movement of the many pairs of webbed feet.

'They're so cute' he said.

' I like their feathers. They're very colourful.'

Twelve-year-old Emilya binti Zubir was just as entranced.

'I like seeing them dive for fish,' she said.

The 122-sq-m Riverine, which took nine months to construct and cost about $1 million, boasts more than 20 different duck species.

The ducks were imported at a cost of $25,000.

Half of these are 'dabblers', which eat worms they find on the surface.

The other half are the more adventurous 'divers', which can head down as deep as 9 m to forage for small fish and aquatic vegetation.

A lot of work went into ensuring the ducks feel at home.

Mr Tay Kwang Liang, the landscape architect for the exhibit, said: 'More than 30 species of vegetation were planted over a period of three weeks to serve as shade, nesting areas and food.'

The duck showcase is also equipped with special lighting and fibre-optic cables for night viewing, and supplied with clear recycled water from the park's industrial water treatment plant.

The Riverine will be officially launched by Acting Minister for the Environment, Mr Lim Swee Say, this Saturday at 10 am.