Singapore's Changi Airport opens new Butterfly Garden for departing passengers at Terminal 3
Butterfly Garden
Fri 29 Aug 2008 – A 330 square metre garden, designed as a tropical retreat and educational tool, will be home to 1,000 free-roaming butterflies comprising 47 species native to Singapore and Malaysia. Passengers departing or transiting through Changi’s Terminal 3 are promised a tranquil haven offering a respite from the stresses of travelling as well as an opportunity to observe the life cycle of butterflies at close range.
The two-storey, open-air and non-smoking garden is fully enclosed by a curvilinear shaped roof in stainless steel mesh and glass panels. They serve to keep the butterflies in and maintain an exchange of wind and natural air, which is vital to the survival of butterflies and maximize the butterflies’ flight activity. A timber walkway allows visitors to experience the garden, while a waterfall feature helps keep the garden cool.
The farm-bred butterflies were selected for their receptive nature to human presence and the garden is kept as close as possible to the butterflies’ natural habitat.
Features have been incorporated around the garden to demonstrate the complete life cycle of the butterfly. They include education corners with information panels and feeding corners where butterflies can be observed at close range. Visitors can also view caterpillars at the breeding corner and pupae at the emergence corner.
“The Butterfly Garden is a unique attraction designed to complement Terminal 3’s nature theme and Singapore’s tropical garden image,” said Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Finance and Transport, who formally launched the garden. “This new facility is part of the ongoing efforts of CAAS to review and introduce novel or improved facilities to enhance the ‘Changi Experience’ for our passengers.”
The new Terminal 3 commenced scheduled flight operations on January 9 and was formally opened on July 25.