Singapore’s wild sambar deer are quietly making a comeback

Key Concepts

• Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor): One of the largest deer species globally, known for being elusive and shy.
• Save Sambar Deer Initiative: A volunteer-led group focused on monitoring, profiling, and protecting the sambar deer population in Singapore.
• Population Ecology: The study of population dynamics, which currently estimates the local sambar deer population at approximately 120 individuals.
• Human-Wildlife Coexistence: The philosophy that urban development must accommodate wildlife, requiring behavioral changes from humans rather than just animal adaptation.
• "Ghosts of the Forest": A nickname for the sambar deer due to their ability to move silently and remain elusive in urban-fringe environments.

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1. The Save Sambar Deer Initiative

The initiative was founded in 2020 by Jay after he encountered three female deer while jogging near the T15 trail in Mandai. The group’s primary mission is to monitor the deer population, which has been expanding.

Methodology for Population Tracking:

• Camera Traps: Used to capture movement and behavior in forested areas.
• Physical Nightly Observations: Volunteers conduct field patrols along sectors like Thomson Road and Mandai to observe deer near the forest fringe.
• Profiling and Matching: The photography team captures images of individual deer, which are then analyzed to identify and count specific animals, leading to the current estimate of 120 individuals.

2. Challenges and Behavioral Observations

The deer are described as unpredictable. While they typically graze for hours, they are highly sensitive to human presence and noise, often retreating into the forest when disturbed.

• Physical Characteristics: They are large animals, comparable in size to a double-door refrigerator, with antlers that can reach up to one meter in length.
• Sensory Perception: Deer do not necessarily recognize human faces, but they are highly sensitive to human scent.
• Habitat Usage: They are frequently found grazing on slopes where fresh grass is available, leaving distinct footprints and uneven ground in their wake.

3. The Dangers of Human Interaction

A significant portion of the initiative's work involves public education regarding the dangers of human-wildlife interaction.

• The "Feeding" Problem: The group emphasizes that feeding wild animals is detrimental. It encourages deer to leave the safety of the forest for urban areas, disrupts their natural diet, and introduces unhealthy substances (e.g., white bread with preservatives).
• The Paradox of Compassion: People often feed animals out of a misguided sense of love. The initiative argues that "the more you love them, the less you feed them."
• Consequences of Feeding: Increased human-wildlife interaction leads to population spikes in unnatural areas, which often results in government-mandated culling—the exact outcome the initiative seeks to prevent.

4. Protocols for Coexistence

To ensure the safety of both the public and the deer, the initiative promotes specific guidelines:

• Maintain Distance: Never approach or attempt to touch the deer.
• Driving Safety: Motorists should drive slowly and cautiously when passing through or near forested areas to avoid collisions.
• No Feeding: Strictly adhere to a "no feeding" policy to keep the deer wild and healthy.

5. Synthesis and Conclusion

The presence of large, wild sambar deer in a highly urbanized environment like Singapore is a unique ecological phenomenon. The Save Sambar Deer Initiative posits that as the population grows and spills over into urban fringes, the responsibility for coexistence lies with humans. By shifting from a mindset of "feeding and interacting" to one of "observation and protection," the public can help preserve these "ghosts of the forest." The ultimate goal is to foster a society that respects the deer's natural habitat and behavior, ensuring their survival without the need for human intervention or population control measures like culling.