BUAYA Spotted

[Singer]

Aug 6, 2008

Crocodile 'hunters' on the prowl in Pasir Ris Park

 

While PUB, NParks seek to trap reptile, nature lovers want one for the album

By Ang Yiying & Kimberly Spykerman

ON THE LOOKOUT: Eager to glimpse the crocodile, two men keep their eyes glued to the water. -- ST PHOTO: FRANCIS ONG View more photos

THE hunt is on for the crocodile spotted in the mangrove swamp near the Tampines River canal in Pasir Ris Park.

 

The reptile, which was more than a metre long, was first spotted in a mangrove swamp two weeks ago by retiree Ong Wee Lee, 70, a park regular.

 

Three days ago, he caught sight of it again. His daughter snapped a photograph, which made the headlines in the local media during the past two days.

 

Working jointly to trap the reptile are the PUB, the national water agency, and the National Parks Board.

 

Several other 'hunters' are on its trail as well: a mix of curious onlookers and nature lovers all eager to shoot it - with their cameras, that is.

 

Among the people combing the area for signs of the crocodile yesterday were Mr K.C. Wong and his son.

 

The 53-year-old civil servant said: 'I wanted to see the crocodile in its natural habitat before someone does something to it. After all, Singapore has so little wildlife left.'

 

Avid photographer J. Zhang, 32, who had been at the park for seven hours since 9.30am, said: 'I just came to complete my Singapore wildlife collection. Anyway, we have to respect nature and enjoy what we have.

 

'We should have higher tolerance and be aware of the fact that their presence means we have a healthy ecosystem.'

 

There have been reported sightings of crocodiles in the wild before. In 1996, it was reported that a three-man team had caught two crocodiles at MacRitchie Reservoir.

 

One man familiar with the reptiles here is Mr Robin Lee, the manager of Long Kuan Hung Crocodile Farm in Kranji.

 

He said that he had been called several times over the past few years to catch crocodiles in the wild, once by roping the reptile's neck.

 

Successfully trapping a crocodile requires experience and luck and he cautioned that the public should avoid going near one.

 

'You just never know about wild animals,' he said.

 

There are two crocodile farms in Singapore and neither has any escapes to report.

 

Mr Lee, whose farm has about 8,500 crocodiles which are bred for their skin and meat, said that the ponds are surrounded by high walls and fencing.

 

Over at the Singapore Crocodile Farm in Serangoon, which also holds educational tours, supervisor Sharon Neo said they have fewer than 100 crocodiles.

 

They are well-fed and are kept in enclosures high enough to prevent their escape, she added.

 

According to experts, the crocodile sighted at Pasir Ris Park is likely to be an estuarine crocodile, more commonly known as the saltwater crocodile.

 

It is more commonly found in the neighbouring countries of Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

 

Mr Biswajit Guha, the assistant director of zoology at the Singapore Zoo, said: 'The species can travel in the seas from one island to the next.'

 

Mr N. Sivasothi, an instructor at the Department of Biological Sciences at the National University of Singapore, said that the crocodile could have come from Malaysia or could have been moving around Singapore's north-east.

 

Experts have advised the public to stay away from crocodiles if they see one.

 

Mr Sivasothi said: 'They will tend to avoid people and we should do the same.'

 

 

The public can call the PUB 24-hour hotline at 1800-284-6600 if they spot crocodiles in rivers or reservoirs.

 

http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Story/STIStory_264928.html

 

 

 

So, who from MCF is on the lose

 

If you spot any, alert the Admin or Mod please...

[Hiphiphoray]

Wahhhhh....a wild cocoda in spore. Cool man.

[Singer]

Photo snapped by Mr. Ong's daughter @ P Ris Park

[Singer]

A very rare sighting indeed

[Leepee]

Cool croc picture!

 

Life is alittle boring in Singapore....such rare sight is really 'exciting'

 

Just like the two elephants on Tekong in 1990.

[Tkseah]

The buaya timing just nice.. to discourage public from swimming at Pasir Ris beach..

[Chickenfarm]

Not forgetting our rare and exciting pics at Pasir Ris Chalet in 2008

[Tarzan666]

Seletar reservoir oso have rite..

 

pub place signboard to warn people of crocodile..

[Tkseah]

Seletar reservoir too near to zoo isit? other reservoirs dun have warning sign..

[Tomcat]

this shows how dirty the water is...even crocodiles cannot take it...

[Bicolor]

Seletar reservoir too near to zoo isit? other reservoirs dun have warning sign..

 

No lah, I suppose its because Seletar is located within the Central Catchment Area, where the surroundings are partly forested and designated as nature reserve. If my memory isn't failing me there's this sign at Macritchie also, but can't remember for sure. Will check it out on my next trip home.

 

Would love to photograph a crocodile in the wild, though.

[Blue2]

mayb it is the BUAYA that contaminate the waters there la

Lau Sai for few days la...

[Leepee]

Wah lan eh. Don't go telling the whole world can?

Some things are best left unsaid.

I will not tell the world the frigid little worm that you showed me at pasir ris chalet, if you can just keep mum on the two huge papayas I offered you!

Shhh......

 

Not forgetting our rare and exciting pics at Pasir Ris Chalet in 2008

[Karoon]

Aug 6, 2008

Crocodile 'hunters' on the prowl in Pasir Ris Park

 

While PUB, NParks seek to trap reptile, nature lovers want one for the album

By Ang Yiying & Kimberly Spykerman

ON THE LOOKOUT: Eager to glimpse the crocodile, two men keep their eyes glued to the water. -- ST PHOTO: FRANCIS ONG View more photos

 

 

There are two crocodile farms in Singapore and neither has any escapes to report.

 

 

They are well-fed and are kept in enclosures high enough to prevent their escape, she added.

 

 

 

can't help feeling the reporter's taking a sly dig