BUTTERWORTH: As “normalcy” slowly returns, some fully-vaccinated parents have decided to treat their children to a novel experience.

       Many brought them to the reopened, decades-old Penang Bird Park.

       For many, too, this was their first experience seeing the birds up close.

       “They’ve never been to a bird park,” said delighted technician Yahya Ishak, 34.

       The fully-vaccinated Yahya, his wife, their two daughters and son, enjoyed the day out.

       Electrical engineer Amirul Rahim, 27, from Kepala Batas also brought his family of eight to explore the park in mainland Penang.

       “With me are my parents, two daughters, wife, sister and her son.

       “We last went out together early this year and being outdoors like this helps relieve stress.

       “This is precious time with our children as we spend six days a week working,” he said.

       Many more families arrived at the Penang Bird Park yesterday, which first opened its doors in 1988.

       The Covid-19 standard operating procedure at the park was strict, with many having to wait patiently because the park only allowed up to 100 people in at a time.

       On the plus side, park director Dr Gino Ooi said the park had a chance to increase its bird population during the forced closure.

       Among them are a new flock of 26 flamingos and specimens of over 300 species.

       In the absence of visitors, Ooi said many pheasants and fowls started breeding.

       “We received 25 visitors on the first day of reopening and 75 visitors on the second day.

       “This is a good sign that people are willing to come out although many are still being cautious.

       “Their arrival helps us to maintain the park,” Ooi said, adding that the park previously closed on May 9.

       Without visitors, Ooi said his team trimmed the trees to create more space for people and birds.

       The Penang Hill funicular railway, too, has allowed visitors to take the train to the hilltop since Friday.

       Earlier, hikers who had reached the top were allowed to take the train down, but only hill residents and workers were allowed to ride up.

       Penang Hill Corporation said it planned to gradually reopen the popular tourist attraction in stages under the National Recovery Plan.

       The Top@Komtar, an edutainment theme park in Komtar, has announced that it would reopen five attractions this Friday.

       They are the Rainbow Skywalk, Jurassic Research Centre, the Top Boutique Aquarium, Penang State Gallery and Durian King Gallery.

       Penang has identified several potential key attractions to reopen for a test run.

       State tourism committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said the reopening of selected places include spacious outdoor attractions.

       He said the test runs were aimed at fine-tuning and improving health protocols at such tourist attractions in collaboration with the Association of Tourist Attractions Penang.