Ng Jing Yng, Today Online 15 Jan 08;
For the better part of yesterday, Mr Chris Lau made several frustrating phone calls while two white-bellied sea eagles lay motionless on his balcony.
The large birds – standing at least a foot tall with razor-sharp beaks and claws – had appeared mysteriously at his Jalan Kayu home and seemed to be injured.
Shocked and worried about the bird flu, Mr Lau, 43, immediately called the Ministry of National Development general hotline, and was directed to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority's (AVA) Centre for Animal Welfare and Control. He claimed he was advised to call the National Environment Agency (NEA).
While waiting for the latter to return his call, the businessman tried the Singapore Zoological Gardens, which told him to contact the Jurong BirdPark.
"I didn't expect it to be a whole-day affair. I couldn't do anything myself, I just had to wait as I was directed from one agency to another," said Mr Lau, who was advised not to handle the birds as they could turn aggressive.
After about an hour, one of the two eagles stood up. At about 5pm – six hours after Mr Lau first spotted the birds – help arrived. The officer from Jurong BirdPark got the live eagle into a cage, while its lifeless partner was placed in a black bag. The speculation was that the pair had been in a fight before crashing into the balcony.
In such rare instances where wildlife find their way into homes, how should members of the public deal with them?
In response to Today's queries, Jurong BirdPark said the best agency to deal with the kind of situation Mr Lau found himself in was the AVA.
The AVA advises the public to call its Centre for Animal Welfare and Control should any wild animals or birds enter their homes and refuse to leave, despite attempts to shoo them away. The public should, however, refrain from harming the animals, said its spokesman.
Only in cases of emergency, where the animal poses a danger to public safety or damages property, should people call the police, added the AVA.
It cited bats and iguanas as among the animals that have made their way into homes.
The NEA said any matter concerning the welfare of wildlife should be referred to the AVA – but should the public spot any dead bird or animal in a public area, they should contact the NEA, which will arrange for the carcass to be collected and disposed of appropriately.
