Pulau Ubin: Illegal animal traps getting bigger

Tracy Sua, Straits Times 8 Jan 08;

Poachers seem to be eyeing bigger hauls, if the size of the illegal traps they set is anything to go by.

Nature activist Ben Lee, 46, who found three traps in the last four months on Pulau Ubin, said he was shocked to find one over 2m high in the island's jungle on Sunday.

The founder and head of nature society Nature Trekker Singapore was leading a group of the society's members on a nature appreciation tour.

He said of the trap: 'I did not think I would still be able to find more traps, and this was bigger than the rest. It was well camouflaged, not like the other few I found.'

Made of wood and wire mesh and with a metal trap gate, it was so heavy that it needed two people to lift it.

Mr Lee estimates it could house at least 20 wild boars. Coconuts were left inside the trap, likely as bait for wild boars or other animals. Mr Lee sprang the trap so animals would be kept out of it.

Saying he would report the matter to the National Parks Board, he added that even though wild boars were not endangered, other rare animals such as the leopard cat, civet cat, pangolin, long-tailed macaque and oriental small-clawed otter could well have been caught in it.

Under the Parks and Trees Act, poaching in parks and nature reserves, including Pulau Ubin, is illegal. Those convicted face up to six months' jail or fines of up to $50,000 or both. Those who trap and kill wild animals and birds can also be fined up to $1,000.

Eleven cases of illegal animal trapping surfaced last year, two more than the year before.