The bigger Bishan otter family of 15 had started out in Bishan Park with just three pups. It’s rare to see crocodiles elsewhere, but in February of this year, a 1.7 metre crocodile was captured by National Parks officers at Lower Seletar Reservoir and relocated into the wild. National Parks estimates their population at around 1,500. According to the National Library Archives, during the 1860s more than 350 people were killed in tiger attacks. For baby animals such as birds or squirrels, we urge public not to remove them or bring home but to look for adult animals or call us with a photo for further action.” The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) works in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation and has a dedicated wildlife rescue centre. Orangutans. Took this picture of otters frolicking on a #jalanjalan at the Singapore Botanic Gardens in March. Singapore’s numerous nature reserves and coastal areas are also home to rare and endangered animals, from long-tailed macaques, to turtles, monkeys, crocs, pangolins and the famous otter families. Get parenting tips and stories straight to your inbox! Co-existing with humans in these urban areas does present some problems. In Alaska, there are more than 90,000 otters. It seems like otters are so popular in Singapore that there will be a pop-up attraction inspired by the little fellas. Unfortunately, the enthusiasm displayed for this ‘sport’ led the tigers to extinction in Singapore, with our last wild tiger killed in the 1930s. There are several monkey species in Singapore, of which the Long-tailed Macaque is the most common. In 2017, the AVA received over 160 complaints about monkey attacks and behaviour. Humans feeding the macaques is a big source of concern, as it can change the feeding patterns of the monkeys, and cause aggression or illness. This otter species is the biggest in Southeast Asia, with a length of 1 to 1.3 metres, including its tail, and weighs up to 11 kilograms. National University of Singapore (NUS) biology lecturer N. Sivasothi, who heads the OtterWatch facebook group (www.facebook.com/OtterWatch), estimates the population at about 80. Jog or cycle 15 kilometres along the perimeters of Marina Bay to meet the Singapore otters. When you entered the garden, you will see giant man made … One of the most effective ways to help dugongs is to preserve Singapore’s seagrass meadows. The Bishan otters went south to prime territory Marina Bay and displaced the Marina otters. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Kids are especially thrilled to see wild otters and here are some places that they have been spotted recently and you can try your luck: Image Credit: Ottercity #1 Bishan Park Supertree Grove. They are also slow breeders, with only one or two babies per year. Lee Hsien Loong updated their cover photo. They are, to be sure, one highly visible outcome of this city-state’s commitment to supporting urban nature. Last month, Malay Mail reported that smooth-coated otters could be spotted at the 222-acre public park popular with the residents of Selayang and Batu Caves, usually hunting, frolicking, or just basking in the sun. Karola Clarke reports. Pangolins are the world’s most heavily trafficked mammal, according to Wildlife Reserves Singapore. Angelica Teo of pangolin research group, The Pangolin Story (https://thepangolinstory.wordpress.com/), explains: “As pangolins are nocturnal animals, they’re only active for a few hours each day, this makes them notoriously difficult to track. Otters had almost disappeared from Singapore by the 1970s, due to waterway pollution. On March 18th, a Facebook page posted a video of a family of (Singaporean) otters climbing up the steps out of a Singapore river.There wasn’t a large crowd of people at the time since many stayed home to fight the pandemic spread of Covid-19. Once thought to be extinct in Singapore, wild otters are making a comeback to the urban city state. If you find crocodiles in an urban area, call the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) on 1800 476 1600. Their scales and meat are prized in traditional medicine and for food. The Marina otters remained on the move, travelling between East … Otters had almost disappeared from Singapore by the 1970s, due to waterway pollution. The Otter Working Group Singapore is really happy to host Mr Woo Chee Yoong from Malaysian Nature Society as he shares with us early news of his studies at the very precious Kuala Selangor Nature Park. The greatest threat is the loss of seagrass habitats. The otter species commonly seen here is the smooth coated otter, which can grow to nearly one metre long. On a trip to Singapore last year, I had the chance to see them for myself. That otters have returned to this dense and growing city is itself remarkable, as is the fact that they have become a public craze and an international sensation. While listed as critically endangered in Singapore, they are most regularly seen at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and have been seen there since 1990s. Smallbrook Meadows - Here water weaves through wet woodland, wildflower meadows, marsh, ditches and ponds. Its enclosure is designed to simulate the flowing rivers where otters make their home. Ms Anbarasi Boopal, Deputy Chief Executive of ACRES, explains their guidelines: “When sighting wildlife, the golden rules are to appreciate from a distance and never to feed them. There are more than 10 smooth-coated otter families in Singapore, in areas such as Sungei Buloh, Pasir Ris, Marina Bay and Changi, where they occupy mangroves, coasts, reservoirs, rivers and canals. Most otters are believed to have swum across the Johor Strait from Malaysia, which explains why past sightings of otters were often located at … Our otters have been in the news recently, venturing beyond t ... heir usual haunts with lower human traffic during the circuit breaker. If you want to learn more about these primates, the Jane Goodall Institute and National Parks run monthly guided monkey walks at MacRitchie Reservoir, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Lower Seletar Reservoir (janegoodall.org.sg/event). The island-state's waters have a distinct lack of predators, while the city's urban scape making it an ideal habitat for otter families in the area. As wild animals often wander into urban areas, it’s important to know what to do when you encounter them. This combination of factors has led to their critically endangered status. If you find this article useful, do click Like and Share at the bottom of the post, thank you. You can also help the on-going research on the otters of Singapore by recording your sightings here. PhillipCapital: Plan for Your Family’s Future with Baby and Child Insurance, Euky Bear: Natural Cough and Cold Remedies for the Little Ones, This Preschool Has an Open Secret that Will Give Your Child a Creative Edge. “Some of the main threats are roadkill, entanglement in fishing line, and plastics,” says Sivasothi. Dugongs often travel hundreds of kilometres for food and are difficult to find in the wild. But we’re glad to see that this particular family of otters is safe and sound, and even enjoying the aircon weather.. We hope that they’ll continue to live happily among us, and survive in this concrete jungle. Pangolins are the world’s most heavily trafficked mammal, … Of course, luck may not always be on your side to spot them and the only way to really see them without disappointing your kids is to visit one of the parks by Wildlife Reserves Singapore: If you happen to see wild otters, do follow the guidelines by NParks below for a pleasant experience for both you and the otters. Kids are especially thrilled to see wild otters and here are some places that they have been spotted recently and you can try your luck: #1 Bishan Park Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park. Small-clawed otters weigh around 5kg each and have been seen on offshore islands such as Pulau Tekong and Pulau Ubin in recent decades. This led to the formation of the Macaque Working Group, comprised of agencies including the Jane Goodall Institute, National Parks, Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES), the AVA and several universities, to develop solutions to human-macaque tensions and educate the public on macaque behaviour. #2 Coney Island. Singapore Garden By The Bay. What Should Parents Look for in a Leading Student Care Centre? The smooth-coated otters were residents in the Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve in 1998, and the small-clawed otters have been around Pulau Tekong since the 1980s. teamseagrass.blogspot.com. This was soon increased to $100 to curb the growing problem. Jurong Lake. The Bishan Otter Family, also known as the Bishan 10 and previously known as the Bishan 5, is a family of smooth-coated otters that reside in Singapore. They now live all over the island—from the … These are smooth coated otters living in Singapore. In 2017, an otter bit a five-year-old girl at Gardens by the Bay. They can grow quite large, over 2.5 metres and weigh over 300kgs. The larger group on the right is the Bishan family, the largest family of otters in Singapore. Trails have been seen off Changi, Pulau Ubin, Pulau Sekudu, Pasir Ris and the Southern Islands. Some scientists believe that extensive coastal development in Johor has forced some crocodiles further south into Singapore. A population of 70 otters in Singapore is small compared to the hundreds of thousands lost across China. “We attend to over 700 calls a month for wildlife in distress” explains Ms Boopal. These air-breathing mammals live underwater and exist on a diet of seagrass. If the animal looks distressed, lost or trapped call our 24hr wildlife rescue hotline 9783 7782 for assistance. An entire village near Bukit Timah was abandoned due to frequent tiger attacks in the area. They are highly aggressive and expansionist towards other otters, and are the most famous and well documented family in Singapore. The Bishan otters went south to prime territory Marina Bay and displaced the Marina otters. Otters are seen fleetingly, especially in … In recent years they’ve been spotted off Pulau Ubin. Wild boar Dugong activity can also be seen in the ‘feeding trails’ they create through seagrass meadows as they methodically rip up the seagrass while swimming past. People are excited to see them especially in the urban jungle where sightings of wild animals are rare. But a general waterway... Pangolin. They inhabit mangroves and coastal areas like Marina Bay, Sungei Buloh, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park and Pulau Ubin, where freshwater is plentiful. The main threats to pangolins in Singapore are urban development and roadkill. Visit the Team Seagrass website for information on this valuable habitat and volunteering opportunities. Otters have … Like what you see here? The coronavirus lockdown in Singapore might have turned the country’s once beloved otters into its currently belligerent others. Singapore once hosted a significant tiger population during early colonial times. Head to Flagham Brook to find both otters and water voles among birds such as nightingale, tawny owl, woodpeckers, lapwing and snipe. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Where Can I Find a Confinement Nanny in Singapore? It’s easy to be fooled by their cute appearance, however otters are wild and have very sharp teeth, so be careful. Marina Bay. Singapore is home to Estuarine Crocodiles, also known as saltwater crocodiles, which can grow to over five metres. Their diet consists of fish, frogs, crabs, turtles etc. Win a Gold-Dipped Natural Rose This Valentine’s Day, Come Away Movie Complimentary Passes Giveaway, Lego Classic Bricks Bricks Plate Sets Winners, TGIF Music Station: SCCC x YES 933 January 2021 Lineup 《周5音乐站》1月阵容, List of 250+ Places to Visit in Singapore for Free, 4 Places To See Snow In Singapore This Christmas 2020, Usher in the Year of the Ox at AMK Hub this Chinese New Year, Have A Pongal Day Out With The Indian Heritage Centre, Usher in 2021 with an Abundance of Golden Blessings with Jurong Point, Get Ox-cited for the Lunar New Year with IKEA, Festival of Lights 2020 – A Better Tomorrow at Jurong Lake Gardens, 4 Interesting Things To Do In Singapore This Weekend, Where to Donate Your Pre-Loved Toys, Books, Clothes and Home Furniture in Singapore. Otters in Singapore. Unlike most of us who have homes to return to, Singapore’s wildlife and stray animals may not be able to find easy shelter from the rain.. This is truly an amazing place to spend in Singapore, I didn’t know there are so many thing to explore until I re-visit again few weeks ago. . There are two species of otters in SG – smooth-coated otters and Asian small-clawed otters. Advertisement There are approximately 90 otters living in … “Marina Bay, including Kallang and Singapore Rivers, are the best places to see the otters as there are permanent resident families there,” explains Sivasothi. Croc enthusiasts should head to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, where several crocs have made their home. Although they seem very cute and cuddly, National Parks advisories warn that otters are wild animals and should be treated with caution, especially when otter pups are nearby. People are excited to see them especially in the urban jungle where sightings of wild animals are rare. It will another lovely eye-opener for otter watchers in Singapore! It’s thought the population is in the low hundreds.”  A few live at Central Catchment Nature Reserve (MacRitchie Reservoir), and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Wild Singapore – Where to See Otters, Dugongs & Pangolin, Traditional Foodie Gifts for the New Year. You can view the playful otters from two levels, the open-air upper level and a lower tier that provides an underwater view of the otters. According to National Geographic, there are roughly 90 otters that are part of 10 otter families recognizable to the general Singapore public. Sightings have been reported increasingly often over the years in Pulau Ubin, Western Catchment Area and Changi as well. Learning Chinese – Why You Should Start Them Young, TNAP X NMS Doraemon Collectibles Giveaway, TNAP Highlights: What’s New in Singapore January 2021, Where To Buy The Best Pineapple Tarts 2021, If you find this article useful, do click, Like what you see here? Small-clawed otters weigh around 5kg each and have been seen on offshore islands such as Pulau Tekong and Pulau Ubin in recent decades. Jungle areas were extensively cleared in the mid-1800s for plantations, forcing the tigers into the open. SINGAPORE: Three otters were spotted in the heart of Singapore's Central Business District on Sunday (Oct 28), swimming in a water feature … They live in large family groups and are often seen around Singapore’s nature reserves and coastal areas.While you might think the monkeys are cute, they can be aggressive when they feel threatened. “As Singapore continues to rapidly urbanise, it is inevitable that pangolins start to venture into urban areas. Otters likely repopulated Singapore by swimming across the Johor Straits from Malaysia in the 1990s. National Parks hosts regular crocodile talks at the Reserve (nparks.gov.sg). ACRES also works extensively against the wildlife trade, including conducting undercover investigations and public education campaigns. In 2017, several were spotted near Pasir Ris Park, prompting warning signs at the beach. Other good areas for otter spotting include Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve, Pulau Ubin, Serangoon, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park and Punggol. Dugongs are listed as critically endangered. They come out to catch fish in the morning from 7am to 9am and in the evening from 5pm to 7pm, returning to their holts, or … Join our mailing list, Join The PROMOTE Study To Find Out If Probiotics May Help to Improve Your Mood, Lovely Baby Names for Your Newborn that are Inspired by Flowers, Colief®: The Partner You Can Trust for Your Baby’s Comfort and Growth, The True Power of Toys – Instruments of Learning and Development, Discounted / Free Trial Class For Preschool, Primary & Secondary School Children, Holiday Programmes and Workshops to Thrill Your Kids During the 2020 School Holidays, Kumon: Giving Your Child The Joy Of Learning Life Skills, 4 Best Maths Classes For Kids In Singapore, Get the Ultimate Primary 1 Preparation Guide Today by MindChamps, Online Grammar Booster Course for Primary School Students, Places in Singapore to Go Dating as a Couple, Year of the Ox Chinese Zodiac Forecast 2021, 10 Mistakes That New Parents Should Avoid. Estuarine crocodiles are listed as critically endangered – threats come from hunting (for skin and meat), and habitat loss. Humans are the main threat to the dugong population, as they are still illegally hunted for their meat, skin (for leather) and for traditional medicine. Singapore’s otter enthusiasts have fired back at calls to cull the seemingly emboldened critters to rein in their population. For example, a jump in sea otter numbers in southern Alaska in recent decades led to drops in the catch of Dungeness crabs there. Roadkill claims an average of 6 to 8 pangolins a year.” To help pangolins, you can donate to the Wildlife Reserves conservation fund: wrs.com.sg, or volunteer with The Pangolin Story: thepangolinstory.wordpress.com, Yes, dugongs can occasionally be spotted in Singapore. Pop-Up attraction inspired by the 1970s where to see otters in singapore due to waterway pollution wildlife trade is! 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