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Independent Singapore
28-05-2025
- General
- Independent Singapore
Otters targeted by stone-throwing men in viral video, NParks steps in
SINGAPORE: The National Parks Board (NParks) has launched an investigation into a suspected animal cruelty case after two men were caught on camera hurling stones at a group of otters in Lorong Halus. The alleged incident, which took place on Saturday morning (May 24), was brought to public attention by members of the Nature Society Singapore Facebook group. A video posted to the group shows two men — one dressed in a blue shirt, the other in an orange one — chasing otters near the water's edge. The footage captures them picking up stones from the grassy banks and throwing them at the startled animals, causing the otters to scatter, with some diving into the water to escape. According to the original post, one of the men claimed he had resorted to the act because the otters were eating fish. That explanation, however, has not sat well with members of the public. The video quickly circulated online, prompting strong condemnation from netizens. Many pointed out that otters naturally consume fish and that the men's actions were cruel and showed a lack of respect for wildlife. Several commenters urged that the perpetrators be held accountable. NParks has since confirmed that it had received reports about the incident. A spokesperson said the board treats all allegations of animal cruelty seriously and is conducting a thorough investigation. The spokesman added that ensuring the welfare of animals is a shared responsibility and encouraged members of the public to report any suspected cases of abuse through the NParks website or by calling 1800-476-1600. Under the Animals and Birds Act, individuals found guilty of animal cruelty for the first time can face up to 18 months in prison, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. Repeat offenders face jail terms of up to three years, fines of up to $30,000, or both. NParks also reminded the public to observe safe and respectful behaviour around wildlife. Otters generally do not pose a threat unless they are provoked or feel cornered, the spokesperson said. Members of the public are advised to keep a safe distance and to refrain from feeding, touching, chasing, or attempting to handle otters, especially if otter pups are present, as adult otters are protective and may react defensively.
New Paper
02-05-2025
- New Paper
'Pig-faced' rare bat sighting at Lower Peirce sparks buzz among nature fans
A rare bat species native to Singapore has been sighted at Lower Peirce Reservoir, delighting wildlife enthusiasts. Despite being busy dealing with a family emergency, Ms Rovena Chow still made it a point to try and catch a glimpse of the trefoil horseshoe bat on April 23, after her friend Joanne Toh told her about its appearance two days earlier. Ms Chow, 52, told The Straits Times that she watched the bat at the entrance of the reservoir for about 10 minutes before it flew away. "I was really happy, and I took a video because we don't see this bat often, and I was glad to be able to see it in real life," said the real estate agent, who first heard about the bat's existence two years ago. She later posted her video on the Nature Society Singapore Facebook page. According to the National Parks Board's website, the trefoil horseshoe bat, which can be found at the Central Catchment Nature Reserve and in Pulau Tekong, is an endangered species. Besides Singapore, it can also be found in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo and Java. A nocturnal animal, it feeds on insects, occupies the under-storey of forests and rests under large leaves. NParks described it as having long, soft, pale yellowish-brown to greyish-brown fur. Its noseleaf - a specialised skin structure found on the nose of certain bat species - is yellowish, rounded and horseshoe-shaped at the front. Ms Toh, who regularly posts photos on the Singapore Wildlife Sightings page, first spotted the bat in 2023. She said she did not realise how rare the species was until she established its identity with the help of her wildlife enthusiast friends. "It just flew right in front of me and I didn't realise it was a rare breed until I posted a picture of the bat in our wildlife group chat," said the 56-year-old student care cook, who visits Lower Peirce Reservoir daily after work. "Since then, I've been keeping a lookout for the bat every time I visit the reservoir, and I've seen it four times since." Ms Toh spotted it again with her friends, Mr Art Toh and his wife, just last week. "It is very difficult to spot this species, and I was elated that Art, who has been trying to find this bat for a long time, finally saw it in real life," she said. Mr Toh, who dabbles in wildlife photography, told ST that he has photographed other types of bats but the trefoil horseshoe bat "looks very different". "It has huge ears and its face looks like a pig. I have never seen something like that," said the 69-year-old, who works in the construction industry.
Straits Times
01-05-2025
- Straits Times
Wildlife enthusiasts thrilled to spot rare bat species at Lower Pierce Reservoir
The bat, which can be found at the Central Catchment Nature Reserve and in Pulau Tekong, is a critically endangered species. PHOTO: JOANNE TOH SINGAPORE - A rare bat species native to Singapore has been sighted at Lower Pierce Reservoir, delighting wildlife enthusiasts. Despite being busy dealing with a family emergency, Ms Rovena Chow still made it a point to try and catch a glimpse of the Trefoil Horseshoe Bat on April 23 after her friend, Ms Joanne Toh, told her about its appearance two days earlier. Ms Chow told The Straits Times that she spotted it at the entrance of the reservoir for about 10 minutes before it flew away. 'I was really happy and I took a video because we don't see this bat often and I was glad to be able to see it in real life,' said the 52-year-old real estate agent, who first heard about the bat's existence two years ago. She later posted her video on the Nature Society Singapore Facebook page. According to NParks' website, the Trefoil Horseshoe Bat, which can be found at the Central Catchment Nature Reserve and in Pulau Tekong, is a critically endangered species. Besides Singapore, it can also be found in India, Myanmar, Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo and Java. A nocturnal animal, it feeds on insects, occupies the under-storey of forests and rests under large leaves. NParks described it as having long, soft, pale yellowish-brown to greyish-brown fur. Its noseleaf - a specialised skin structure found on the nose of certain bat species - is yellowish, rounded, and horseshoe-shaped at the front. Ms Toh, who regularly posts photos on the Singapore Wildlife Sightings page, first spotted the bat in 2023. She said she did not realise how rare the species was until she established its identity with the help of her wildlife enthusiast friends. 'It just flew right in front of me and I didn't realise it was a rare breed until I posted a picture of the bat in our wildlife group chat,' said the 56-year-old student care cook, who visits Lower Pierce Reservoir daily after work. 'Since then, I've been keeping a lookout for the bat every time I visit the reservoir and I've seen it four times since.' Ms Toh spotted it again with her friends, Mr Art Toh and his wife, just last week. 'It is very difficult to spot this species and I was elated that Art, who has been trying to look for this bat for a long time, finally saw it in real life,' she said. Mr Toh, 69, who dabbles in wildlife photography, told ST that he has photographed other types of bats but the Trefoil Horseshoe bat 'looks very different'. 'It has huge ears and its face looks like a pig. I have never seen something like that,' said the technical officer who works in the construction industry. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
