Inside Singapore's 'Hospital' For Wild Animals | Singapore Hour

Key Concepts:

• Garden City, City in a Garden, City in Nature: Singapore's evolving vision for integrating greenery and wildlife into urban life.
• Arborists: Professionals who plant and care for trees, considering factors like microclimate and species suitability.
• Camera Traps: Remote cameras used to monitor wildlife presence and behavior in natural habitats.
• Eco-Link Bridge: Infrastructure designed to facilitate safe wildlife crossings between fragmented habitats.
• Wildlife Rescue: The process of safely retrieving and relocating animals found in unsuitable or dangerous locations.
• Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation: A facility where rescued animals receive medical care and rehabilitation before being released back into the wild.
• Triaging: The process of assessing an animal's condition upon arrival at the rehabilitation center to determine the necessary treatment.
• Microchipping: Implanting a small electronic chip in an animal for identification and tracking purposes.

1. Singapore's Green Vision:

• Singapore has evolved from a "Garden City" in the 1960s (planting trees for a cooler, calmer environment) to a "City in a Garden" in 2011 (integrating green into daily life) and now a "City in Nature" (where green is an integral part of the city).
• This vision emphasizes the importance of caring for both plants and animals to create a sustainable urban ecosystem.

2. Arborists and Tree Selection:

• Arborists like Jia Hwa play a crucial role in selecting and planting trees suitable for specific locations.
• Factors considered include:
  • Microclimate: Understanding the local weather conditions.
  • Site Conditions: Assessing the planting verge width, sunlight exposure, and shade from nearby buildings.
  • Species Suitability: Choosing coastal and rainforest species appropriate for the Changi area.
• Post-planting care involves observing the tree for signs of leaning, sparse crown, or trunk decay (cavities, exposed dead wood).

3. Wildlife Monitoring with Camera Traps:

• Maxine uses camera traps in Chestnut Nature Park to monitor wildlife populations.
• Camera trap placement is determined by reconnaissance to identify areas where animals are likely to cross.
• Camera traps operate 24/7, using motion or heat sensors to capture images and videos, often in infrared for nocturnal animals.
• Data collected helps inform decisions about plant selection (providing food sources) and infrastructure development (e.g., wildlife bridges).
• Example: Camera trap footage of Raffles’ Banded Langurs using the Eco-Link bridge demonstrates the effectiveness of such structures.
• Example: Unexpected sightings, such as a family of Malayan porcupines, highlight the diversity of wildlife in Singapore.

4. Wildlife Rescue and Relocation:

• Chanelle and the wildlife rescue team respond to calls about animals found in residential areas.
• The goal is to safely rescue and relocate animals back to their natural habitat.
• Example: A call about a snake in a house on Adam Road, although the snake was found dead, the incident served as an opportunity to educate the public about calling the NParks hotline instead of handling the animal themselves.
• Emphasis on raising awareness and appreciation for native animals, such as snakes, which contribute to pest control.

5. Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation:

• Rescued animals are taken to the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation for medical care.
• Yu An, the vet, performs triaging to assess each animal's condition.
• The process includes:
  • Physical examination (heart rate, teeth, hydration, abdominal palpation).
  • Sedation for aggressive animals like civet cats.
  • Weight monitoring for young animals to ensure survivability upon release.
• Rehabilitation varies depending on the animal:
  • Birds: Flight rehabilitation in a large room with trees and branches.
  • Snakes: Microchipping for tracking and data collection on movement patterns.

6. Microchipping and Data Collection:

• Microchipping snakes allows researchers to track their movements and recapture locations.
• This data contributes to a better understanding of how wildlife adapts to the urban environment.

7. Conclusion:

• Creating a city that coexists with nature requires careful planning, awareness, and care.
• It involves growing green spaces, monitoring wildlife populations, rescuing animals in need, and rehabilitating them for release.
• Every action, from planting a tree to rescuing a snake, contributes to a larger effort to make space for nature in Singapore.
• "Every animal has its place in the food chain, in the ecosystem, and ensuring that these populations continue to persist for a long time, I think is really important."