Raja, do you enjoy working at BirdShows?

The job is fun! It requires our team of show presenters together with our colourful birds to educate, entertain, actively engage and interact with visitors to ensure they have an unforgettable experience in the park.

Despite the years I‘ve worked here, there's never a dull moment! Everyday is a new experience. I look forward to the daily furry of feathers, the squawking and gawking of birds.

What are your job responsibilities?

My key task is to train the birds, manage the park’s shows to attain world-class standards, as well as managing people.

I also have to be a choreographer; trainer and a creative show designer rolled into one. This job requires a lot of creativity from me. We consistently review the shows to keep it always refreshingly exciting and to assess how we can discover more of the birds’ natural behaviours and talents.

Other daily responsibilities include cleaning and upkeep of the birds or general husbandry. We also have to create creature comforts to keep them healthy, happy and to ensure that the birds' welfare is foremost at all times.

When working with people, I am required to discipline the team when needed. It's usually during the rehearsal schedule that we challenge the team to come up with creative input.

The performers are also required to maintain their positive attitudes and mental alertness at all times. A strong bond must be built between birds and the artistes!!!

What do you like best about your job?

The opportunity to work with birds, know their unique characteristics, behaviours as well as exclusive talents!

I love the team spirit inherent in everyone, which drives and enables us to create world-class experiences through these years working together.

I embrace challenges with new shows, new bird species, and new trends in bird presentation. I feel satisfied that at the end of the day, as I look at my team members, I know that I have slowly and surely convinced them to become naturalists and genuine bird lovers with a strong conservation conviction.

This I feel is the ultimate mission I have in this job.

What does your job involve?

I develop and source for the appropriate thematic bird merchandise, as well as other products of optimum quality and competitive pricing in mind. Jurong BirdPark merchandises ranges from apparels, books, and toys to humorous items.

While some souvenirs are also sold at other tourist attractions, BirdPark visitors will discover that we do have unique bird-related products, which are not found anywhere else in Singapore and even the world.

Our team is also tasked to explore other business opportunities to further enhance the park’s revenue.

What do you like best about your job?

I feel satisfied knowing that merchandise originally designed and created by me is sold in our retails shops and well received by visitors!

Working with the different departments in the BirdPark always gives me the drive to further create better products. Through my colleagues I get to understand their varying views, which are invaluable in my innovative designs. It also gives me this warm “family togetherness” feeling to be part of such a team.

What challenges do you face in your job?

The global tourism trends are always changing. This challenges me to stay updated, accept feedback humbly, as well as to maintain a positive outlook when providing our visitors great retail therapy and memorable park experiences.

What are your goals for the future?

My goal is to build an effective retail model for other attraction parks throughout Asia and the world. I believe it is an achievable feat! Soon!