Group Bull. Most otter species come ashore to give birth in dens, which sometimes have been used by other animals such as beavers. Moretti, Beatrice, Omar F Al-Sheikhly, Monica Guerrini, Meryl Theng, Brij K Gupta, Mukhtar K Haba, Waseem Khan, Aleem Khan, and Filippo Barbanera. Today, a population of at least 60 hybrid otters exists in Singapore. A few months later, in February 2018, an angler was seen throwing rocks at otters swimming by the Punggol Waterfront. With local communities, the group monitors otter populations and movement in Singapore to resolve issues and protect the species. Still, otter experts believe the anger is an overreaction and that the creatures are likely just enjoying the extra freedom to venture to new places. Two otter families in Singapore got into an epic gang fight in the portion of the canal that cuts through Braddell near Bishan. The former is nocturnal and harder to spot, while the latter (above) is commonly spotted … Announcement 1 of 2: Night Safari is open every day from 19 Nov 2020 to 17 Jan 2021, as well as eve of and on public holidays. “Asian Countries Propose Bans on Commercial Trade in Otters.” NRDC. Take a walk on the wild side in Singapore, and you will find that one of the most adaptable immigrant wildlife species has made the island’s waterway systems its home, booming in number over the years. Yet in Singapore, the most urbanized country in the world, commuters … Local scientist Meryl Theng who contributed to an international. This file photo shows members of a wild otter family called "Bishan10" in Singapore's Kallang Basin area. “BFM: The Business Radio Station - Citizen Science and the Case Study of Smooth-Coated Otters in Singapore.” Accessed January 4, 2019. International Otter Survival Fund.” Accessed March 1, 2019. “IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin Volume 35 Issue 3 (2018).” Accessed January 14, 2019. Fewer still have seen a “romp” of them. "Rather than being focused on protecting ´territory´, we must find ways to coexist and thrive with our local flora and fauna," he wrote. The case sparked a debate about whether more should be done to stop otters rampaging through the city, with a widely discussed letter in a local newspaper calling for air horns and rubber bullets to be used as deterrents. They featured in a documentary narrated by David Attenborough, are tracked avidly by the local media -- and have been spotted more frequently since people were asked to stay home and workplaces closed in April to fight the virus. Below are several diagnostic features that set them apart from other Asian species. There are estimated to be about 90 otters in Singapore, making up 10 families, and appearances at popular tourist sites around the city-state´s downtown waterfront have transformed them into local celebrities. The most high-profile incident was a raid on a pond at a spa shuttered due to the pandemic. There are two species of otters in SG – smooth-coated otters and Asian small-clawed otters. How do otters survive in a highly urbanised city state like Singapore? 35 (3): 171 – 182 Key words: population census, urban adapter, mammal, conservation management, citizen science INTRODUCTION Of the four Asian species of otters, the Experiencing information fatigue? https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2019/01/wild-otters-popular-exotic-pets/. Cambridge International releases AS and A level results for Nov 2020 exams, Landslides kill at least 12 people in Indonesia, Pakistan women’s cricket squad clears COVID-19 tests before leaving for South Africa, Bioniks chief urges President Alvi to help subsidise prosthetic limbs for the underprivileged. In-depth stories about Asia and more delivered straight to your inbox every month. Distribution of the otter families in Singapore (Data source: Khoo, M de Yuan and Sivasothi, N (2018)b. The NRDC has since been partnering with organisations around the world to put together a strong case for the ban. Singapore has two species of otters. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong weighed in on the debate Friday, posting a photo he took of otters before the lockdown on his Facebook account. Population Structure, Distribution, and Habitat Use of Smooth-Coated Otters Lutrogale perspicillata in Singapore . Singapore has 2 species of otters, the Smooth-coated Otter and the very elusive Asian Small-clawed Otter. The otter population in Singapore was initially thought extinct between the 1960s and 1970s, but sightings in the 1990s confirmed their presence in the Sungei Buloh wetlands area. Residents have erected fences to keep them out, but nature conservationists note that these fences, deployed neither adequately or appropriately, have been effective at stopping otters adapted to surviving in the urban environment. http://www.otter.org/Public/AboutOtters_OtterSpecies.aspx. She was history-trained but does other things now instead, like running an ecotourism shark conservation business, The Dorsal Effect. Thanks to the Singapore River clean up in 1977, its ecological conditions and biodiversity have proven ideal for supporting otters—a far cry from our once oxygen-starved waterways. Today there are otter families across the island, even in the heart of downtown Singapore. The Smooth-coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) is the largest otter in Southeast Asia, and is named after its velvety smooth coat. In July 2016, the 13th International Otter Symposium was held in Singapore for the first time. The current WABA review is addressing this. Critically, the fish species that otters rely on as sources of food need to thrive in Singapore’s waterways for the otters to remain. Asian Small Clawed Otter Sound Clip, International Otter Survival Fund. Want to know the remaining 5 most threatened species in Singapore? Abstract Four species of otters have been recorded from Malaysia and Singapore in the past: Lutra lutra (Common or Eurasian Otter), Lutra sumatrana (Hairy-nosed Otter), Lutrogale perspicillata (Smooth Otter) and Amblonyx cinereus (Oriental Small-clawed Otter). When free, she enjoys being in the ocean, trying to spot some sharks or just home cuddling with her cavvie, Danea. Mp3. Smooth-coated ones grow up to 1.2m long and 11kg in weight. The two common species of otters in Singapore are the smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) and the small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus). The creatures gobbled several fish including an arowana, a prized species that can sell for tens of thousands of dollars. Hybridisation of smooth-coated otter males with Asian small-clawed otter females occurred in Singapore. Singapore. Accessed February 28, 2019. There are two species of otters currently present here. Many of these enthusiasts have produced well-edited videos that vividly relay relatable stories about the otter populations in Singapore. "I simply don´t understand anyone who could not like them. Few urbanites have seen an otter. (Oriental Small-clawed Otter). The group was created in a bid to promote awareness and public education to protect of the now-native otters, as well as to mitigate potential increases in human–animal conflict. They are the more familiar ones here and have been … Group Bull. Thankfully, several countries are concerned about stopping the trafficking of wild otters. Disclaimer: Our stories have been researched and fact-checked to the best of our abilities. Two otter species occur in Singapore. While many think of tiny Singapore as a densely populated concrete jungle, it is also relatively green for a busy Asian city, and has patches of rainforest, fairly clean waterways and abundant wildlife. "Wild boars have never been encouraged to enter urban areas, neither should otters be just because they look cute," wrote Ong Junkai in the correspondence to the Straits Times, which triggered calls from some for a cull. The smooth-coated otter is currently classified as a critically endangered species in Singapore, and until 1998 there had been no reported sightings since the 1970s. January 10, and 2019 Paul Todd. These sightings are of much delight to conservationists, as the presence of otters usually signals the health of the waters they are seen in. One of the few wildlife species well-adapted to urban environments, otters are popular enough in the Garden City to be featured in David Attenborough’s Wild City documentary about Singapore in 2015, as well as in BBC Earth’s Wild Cities in 2019. If there is less food around, otter families will split up into smaller packs to seek food. Otters need space to rest and sleep, and especially to dry their fur off after a hunting swim—this helps them maintain the waterproofing ability of their fur before they return to the water again. on the population movement of otters, brought this to light. The animals enter their private but open ponds and feed on the expensive pet fish within, such as tilapia and koi. http://www.otter.org/audioSamples/AsianSmallClawedOtter.mp3. Did you know that wild otters are often sighted in Singapore? Although there was no known proof of actual rat poisoning, the otter died soon after in July 2017. Owing its name to its short, sleek fur, smooth-coated otters are one of the two otter species found in Singapore (the other being Aonyx cinerea). The Raffles banded langur is only found in Singapore’s Central Catchment Nature Reserve and in Johor (Malaysia); it feeds on leaves and fruits. There are four species of river otters in Asia: the smooth-coated otter, small-clawed otter, hairy-nosed otter, and Eurasian otter. … https://cdn-images.kontinentalist.com/kontinentalist-story-asset-1551411308.mp3. In Singapore, the Smooth‐coated otter Lutrogale perspicillata, a species listed as Critically Endangered in the Singapore Red Data Book (Davison et al., 2008) and Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature This species of lesser mouse-deer is unique to Singapore, but don’t be surprised if you don’t see it. Announcement 1 of 4: Night Safari is open every day from 19 Nov 2020 to 17 Jan 2021, as well as eve of and on public holidays. Smooth-Coated Otters in Singapore Sound Recording by Philip Johns. SINGAPORE: Singapore's otters, long … October 19, 2020, 05:57 PM JJ Lin hosting YouTube live with celebrity friends on … This species … Local scientist Meryl Theng who contributed to an international paper on the population movement of otters, brought this to light. hello@kontinentalist.com. Singapore has seen over 50 years of major road projects, from the PIE to the North-South Corridor. One of the first male otters sighted in the Marina Bay family was suspected to have been poisoned. Housing one of the world’s largest collections of freshwater fauna, the park features over 6,000 animals including 40 threatened species. Although there can be overlaps in size with the cubs of larger specie… Because of this, many otter species have suffered population declines throughout the world. The small-clawed otter and smooth-coated otter can be found in Singapore. The otters have been heralded as a major success and they are the unofficial emblem of our city's successful re-greening efforts. Meanwhile, zoologist Chan Yik Khan said without historic data, it is hard to tell what led to … Previously, smooth-coated otters were mostly sighted in the mangroves, mudflats and coastal areas such as Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, … Otter groups here told The New Paper that they get messages from fans across the globe asking where to find the animals if they were to visit Singapore. Four species of otters have been recorded from Malaysia and Singapore in the past: Lutra lutra (Common or Eurasian Otter), Lutra sumatrana (Hairy-nosed Otter), Lutrogale perspicillata (Smooth Otter) and Amblonyx cinereus (Oriental Small-clawed Otter). (Oriental Small-clawed Otter). Otters eat about 15 to 25 percent of their body weight each day. “Wild Otters Are the Latest Exotic Pet Trend.” Animals, January 10, 2019. According to Sivasothi, otters are social species, and they almost always travel together in families. Khoo, M de Yuan and Sivasothi, N (2018)b. They are really cute," said Pam Wong, a 35-year-old Singaporean. Mp3. https://www.iucnosgbull.org/Volume35/Khoo_Sivasothi_2018b.html, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/308317517_The_Smooth-Coated_Otter_Lutrogale_perspicillata_Mammalia_Mustelidae_in_Singapore_Establishment_and_Expansion_in_Natural_and_Semi-Urban_Environments. It is a mammal, often spotted in our mangroves, mudflats and coastal areas, where it forages for clams, fish, and other small creatures. Otters are the subject of interest for many in Singapore, and a ground-up initiative to create a crowdsourced database on them—which you can add to!—has been completed. The otters of Singapore have proven flexible in adapting quickly to an urbanised landscape, having had to cope with very little space to dry off their fur. Their diet usually reflects the diversity of fish species in the waters they inhabit, as well as the absence of predators. IUCN Otter Spec. 35 (3): 171 - 182. Fans believe people should be celebrating the return of an animal that was driven out of Singapore by coastal development and water pollution around the 1970s, and only started reappearing in the 1990s as waterways were cleaned. Only 40 to 60 remain – the main problem is loss of habitat and food with many of its food species also endangered. Though Singapore's landscape has rapidly urbanised over the past 50 years, the highly adaptable smooth-coated otter continues to exist and perhaps even thrive here, as sightings of it have increased over the last decade 12. https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/mammals/otters-of-the-world/. ). This lets citizens help scientific researchers monitor otter behaviours, encouraging citizens to become more invested in Singapore’s wildlife and, hopefully, learn more about the country’s environmental policies. People are excited to see them especially in the urban jungle where sightings of wild animals are rare. "They probably realised that there was nobody there and became more daring," Low told entertainment news website 8 DAYS. They include the larger and more common smooth-coated otter Lutrogale perspicillataand this species which is cat-sized when fully grown. Otter enthusiasts have also set up their own Facebook pages, such as Ottercity, to spot and track their movements. “Otters of the World.” Discover Wildlife. He also said many recent sightings were likely of the same family of smooth-coated otters, which have been searching for a new home along the city´s rivers. Accessed January 14, 2019. Theng, Meryl, and Sivasothi N. “The Smooth-Coated Otter Lutrogale Perspicillata (Mammalia: Mustelidae) in Singapore: Establishment and Expansion in Natural and Semi-Urban Environments.” IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin 33 (January 1, 2016): 37–49. Accessed March 1, 2019. Smooth-coated otters are not fussy eaters, and they tend to eat whatever is available where they are. Lone otters are typically males in search of a group, and the size of these groups varies according to what different environments can provide. Otterwatch, another Facebook group focused on otters, was set up in 2012 by the National University of Singapore’s N. Sivasothi to help support several student projects with otters. There are laws against the trapping and killing of otters in Singapore. “Phylogeography of the Smooth-Coated Otter (Lutrogale Perspicillata): Distinct Evolutionary Lineages and Hybridization with the Asian Small-Clawed Otter (Aonyx Cinereus).” Scientific Reports 7 (January 27, 2017): 1–13. India, Bangladesh, and the Philippines have submitted proposals for a ban on the international trade of Asian small-clawed otters and smooth-coated otters. The otters´ more frequent forays onto the streets of Singapore are part of a global trend triggered by virus lockdowns, with animals increasingly slipping cover to explore the streets of some of the world´s biggest cities. There are currently an estimated 10 families of otters in Singapore, numbering around 70 otters in total. "When there´s restriction of movement, there´s less vehicles and there´s less people, so the urban space opens up," said N. Sivasothi, a biologist at the National University of Singapore known as "Otterman" due to his work on the animals. With the streets empty, the creatures have been spotted hanging out by a shopping centre, scampering through the lobby of a hospital and even feasting on pricey fish stolen from a pond. Singapore’s waterways today have enough marine life that otters can comfortably survive in them. Though education alone is not enough to change behaviours around our wildlife, several impassioned otter watchers have been volunteering their services to help new otter watchers stay mindful of their subjects—a heartening gesture. The rise of citizen science has also created an even wider pool of data on otter observations and documentation of species behaviour, with groups like the Otter Working Group actively helping in the management and rescue of otters. Kathy writes marine and environmental stories at Kontinentalist. Most of Singapore´s otters are the smooth-coated variety, classified as "vulnerable". There is scant information on the sea otter, which is only found in the coastal waters of northern Japan. IUCN Otter Spec. 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. 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