First night trip to Cyrene
from wild shores of singapore and Singapore Nature and wonderful creation and colourful clouds
Aftemath Of The Oil Spill - Tanah Merah (3)
from colourful clouds
The Spider and the (Butter)Fly
from Butterflies of Singapore
Sungei Buloh
from Biodiversity Singapore
Oriental White-eye’s failed nesting
from Bird Ecology Study Group
Raffles Museum Treasures: Leatherback turtle
from Lazy Lizard's Tales
Elan Perumal, The Star 27 Jun 10;
PETALING JAYA: The Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) had not been visited by sand barges since 2003 although the sand smuggling syndicate had claimed that the sand from Sungai Johor was being sent to the port.
PTP property, free zone and corporate communications senior manager Derick Basir confirmed that it has been more than seven years since sand barges entered the port.
A Starprobe report showed that the syndicate had been making false declarations at the district land office that the sand was being transported to PTP and Danga Bay when it was actually being smuggled into Singapore.
Derick said the port practised strict monitoring on vessels movement and thus it was impossible for it to be used as a venue to smuggle sand into Singapore.
However, he was unaware that the syndicates were making false declarations.
“We do not know about the declaration they make since we only control vessels that come and go out of our port,’’ he said
Derick said PTP was a predominantly a container port and 99% of the vessels going in and out of the port were container vessels.
“We can confirm that there have been no movements of sand in and out of the port in a very long time. The last time sand was delivered to PTP was on Dec 24, 2003 for our reclamation works under phase 2 of the port development master plan,’’ he said.
Starprobe reported on Thursday that sand worth millions of ringgit were being floated away from Sungai Johor by syndicates who claimed that the sand-laden barges were being sent to PTP and Danga Bays.
It reported that the syndicate, after making the false declaration, smuggled the sand into Singapore via the international waters.
Starprobe revealed that the syndicate had capitalised on the need for the barges to pass international waters en route to PTP or Danga Bay.
It reported that the sand barges are directed to Singapore and not to the local ports as declared in their Borang K3 at the district land office.
Home owners can call AVA to lend them traps and take the animals away
Melissa Pang Straits Times 27 Jun 10;
When a monkey first entered the family's second-floor HDB flat in Bukit Panjang in January, they contacted the Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council.
They were told to call the National Parks Board (NParks) which referred them back to the town council. Staff at the latter agency then said they would see what they could do about it.
'By this point, we were upset and told them it's like they were passing the buck. Who can help?' asked the home owner who wanted to be known only as Mrs Singh.
The 29-year-old primary school teacher eventually called the police, who asked her to call them the next time a monkey entered her house.
Which is the right agency to call then? The Sunday Times made checks and found out that the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) can help.
It said it works with town councils if a monkey causes disturbances in HDB estates. 'For landed properties and condos, we liaise with the owners,' said a spokesman.
The issue comes under NParks' purview only if the monkeys create a nuisance in nature reserves and public parks.
AVA helps residents and organisations by lending them traps and taking away the animal. The service is free.
The trap, a metal cage, has a hook in the middle. When a monkey takes food from the hook, a spring releases the cage's door, trapping it.
Last year, the AVA loaned out 223 traps, netting 127 monkeys.
The monkeys are put down as relocating them could pose a similar menace to other residents.
'It is also not possible to relocate them at a forested area as there would be fights with the resident troop of monkeys, and monkeys could get severely injured and killed,' said the AVA spokesman.
Monkeys first began plaguing Bukit Panjang residents about six months ago. They are believed to be from Bukit Panjang Park, across the road from Block 530, where the nuisance is most prevalent.
The monkeys can enter flats in the block, using a sheltered walkway beside some trees.
Dr Teo Ho Pin, North West District Mayor and chairman of the Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council, said the town council is aware of the problem.
'We've engaged a specialist contractor to remove a number of the monkeys.'
Residents said there used to be an adult monkey with a few babies in tow. The younger ones have since been caught, leaving its mother to continue its shenanigans.
Two weeks ago, Dr P.J. John's flat on the 5th floor was invaded by this monkey.
'I feel quite sorry for the monkeys, but once they start entering homes, that's when action has to be taken. The immediate concern would be for the elderly and children,' said Dr John, 50, president of Family Life Centre, a voluntary organisation.
Indeed, for Mrs Singh, it is her two daughters, aged two and five, about whom she is most worried.
'I'm not at home most of the time because of work. Once, the monkey entered the flat when my daughter and maid were at home. What would have happened if my maid had gone to the bathroom and it attacked my baby?'
During the monkey's six-month reign of terror at the Singhs' household, it took towels, clothes and toys from the balcony. It sat on the family's dining table and took shelter on the balcony on rainy days.
'The police advised us to keep the balcony doors closed. But you need to trap the monkey, not trap us in our home,' Mrs Singh said.
Dr Teo said catching monkeys is a challenge as they are smart. 'We seek the cooperation of our residents to refrain from feeding the monkeys and report any sightings of monkeys or any other animals causing nuisance.
'The town council will work with our residents, relevant government agencies, animal welfare societies and contractors to solve the problem.'
Don't feed the monkeys
Straits Times 27 Jun 10;
Hold that toothy grin the next time you see a monkey. Baring the teeth and looking into their eyes are both signs of aggression and challenge, said the National Parks Board (NParks).
When approached by monkeys, look down and walk away. Never chase them.
Don't eat in front of them and keep food preferably in backpacks instead of plastic bags. Plastic bags should be kept close to the chest.
Most important of all, monkeys should not be fed. 'Monkeys have sufficient food in the forest. Feeding them alters their natural behaviour, and makes them too familiar with humans. When subsequently denied food, human-monkey conflict inevitably ensues,' said NParks' assistant director (Central Reserve), Ms Sharon Chan.
The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) said people unwittingly draw the monkeys out of their habitats by giving them food. As a result, the animals frequent their estate.
To prevent monkeys from entering residential compounds, cover and secure refuse bins. Fences with barbed wire should also be put up. Noise, or using a hose to spray water, are some ways to scare monkeys away.
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Straits Times 27 Jun 10;
I read with interest last Sunday's article on the $50 million expansion plan for the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve ('Wetland reserve gets $50m makeover').
Being a regular visitor, I strongly appreciate the Government's willingness and ability to create and maintain this reserve.
I am sure this expansion will attract more Singaporeans and tourists alike. This will, in turn, help boost tourism income and greater appreciation of nature and conservation.
But I am not sure this expansion will result in a better environment for the animals there. As it is now, mammals there are scarce, considering the amount of wild food sources available.
I do not think human traffic alone is the cause of the problem because human traffic is restricted to the footpaths, and credit should go to the park rangers for making sure that visitors do not harvest plants or animals.
But there are packs of stray dogs that make the park their regular haunt. These dogs wander into all corners of the reserve and attack and kill any small mammals that cannot get away.
Any animal eggs that are laid on the ground are food for these dogs. They even tried to scare me off for intruding into their territory.
From previous press reports, it seems that both the National Parks Board and Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority are aware of this menace, and have made efforts to solve this problem. But I still see these strays regularly at the park.
I suggest that before we spend another $50 million, we should make sure the place does not go to the dogs.
Lim Tian Soo
Efforts to trap stray dogs stepped up
Straits Times Forum 4 Jul 10;
We refer to last Sunday's letter by Mr Lim Tian Soo, 'Sungei Buloh dogged by strays'.
The stray dogs sighted in the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve come from the surrounding areas, such as the nearby Kranji and Sungei Kadut industrial estates.
We are aware of this issue and have been working with the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) to intensify the trapping of stray dogs at the reserve.
Over the last three years, 40 dogs have been caught.
We will continue to work with the AVA to explore different methods of trapping to catch the strays.
We also appeal to the public to exercise responsibility and not abandon their pets, as this adds to the stray problem.
James Gan
Assistant Director
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
National Parks Board
170m bridge is among new features of the park following $10m upgrading works
Tan Dawn Wei Straits Times 27 Jun 10;
Madam Teresa Lim has always enjoyed taking long strolls by the water at Lower Seletar Reservoir near her Yishun home.
Now, the 63-year-old housewife can venture out over the water, thanks to a new bridge built by national water agency PUB.
The 170m bridge, which extends from the banks of the reservoir, was built at a cost of $10 million, along with other upgrading works at the park. They took two years to complete.
'The view is great; this is well worth the wait,' said the long-time Yishun resident.
The new facilities at the reservoir are part of PUB's Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) programme.
This is a long-term initiative to spruce up Singapore's drains, canals and reservoirs and open up more recreational activities and space for the public.
'We wanted to let residents go as near to the water as possible,' said Mr Goh Chong Hoon, deputy director at PUB's catchment and waterways department.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will be the guest-of-honour at its opening today. The park is the first in north-eastern Singapore to see its makeover completed and features two main sites.
Family Bay comes with a multi- purpose stage with a water play area for children.
Rowers' Bay provides a new location for competitive rowing.
More than 20 projects will be carried out islandwide by 2012 under the first phase of the ABC Waters programme.
Pilot projects at Kolam Ayer, Bedok Reservoir and MacRitchie Reservoir have been completed. Construction for 12 projects is ongoing, with 10 to be completed by the end of the year.
MacRitchie Reservoir was given a new multi-storey carpark, an amenities centre and an improved floating pontoon for kayakers last July.
The second phase of its revamp, which will be done by next year, includes perking up its bandstand, internal roads and footpaths.
Both phases cost nearly $10 million.
Lower Seletar Reservoir also has a garden that collects rain water. It is organically treated through specially selected soil and plants to remove impurities and is eventually used for the park's water features.
PUB launched its ABC Water Design guidelines in June last year to encourage property developers to integrate sustainable water design features like rain gardens in projects.
It is working on an ABC Waters certification programme that will give recognition to public agencies and private developers which do so.
Channel NewsAsia 26 Jun 10;
SINGAPORE: It's a competition to find Singapore's most environmentally-friendly person. The Gaia Life Challenge saw close to 200 submissions this year but only three made the cut to battle for top honours.
It's not exactly how one would spend the weekend, especially during the World Cup campaign.
Living in a plastic room for 24 hours, three contestants attempt to use the least amount of electricity and hope their efforts will raise awareness as well.
Christina Hardie, contestant, Gaia Life Challenge, said: "I believe more people should try and live their lives more sustainably, especially living in such a hot country. I don't see enough recycling bins around. I think it's good to make the public aware about all these things."
The winner will get S$5,000 cash and other products.
The competition at Bugis Square is part of MediaCorp's Saving Gaia campaign, which has become synonymous with environmental awareness and going green.
Shaun Seow, Deputy CEO, MediaCorp, said: "The event itself is the culmination of all our programmes on-air and off-air to promote the message of environment protection and Saving Gaia. It really brings together the whole environment message and this really comes to live in the form of a competition for people to actually live the green message for 24 hours."
The event is also supported by electronics retailer Gain City who said customers are getting more green savvy.
Jacqueline You-Seah, marketing manager, Gain City Best-Electric, said: "Nowadays, customers are actually discerning and very environmentally conscious to look for products that are three to four ticks which will help them save electricity in the long run."
The National Environment Agency said there's a bigger presence from the green grassroots movement now and more companies are making the effort to spread the green message.
Andrew Tan, CEO, National Environment Agency, said: "This is because companies are also under the same sort of published scrutiny as to whether they are responsible corporate citizens.
“You have a new generation of consumers who are now more aware that the product that they purchase is not just what the product is about but also what the values, the company or organisation stands for."
And standing up for Gaia is what many did when they turned up at Bugis Square. They received an eco-friendly bag when they pledged to save the Earth. - CNA/vm
Organic food cafe owner most Gaia-friendly person
Sharon See Channel NewsAsia 27 Jun 10;
SINGAPORE: Staying in a perspex room with little entertainment is hardly a way to spend your weekend, but three people did just that.
And 24 hours later, one emerged as the most Gaia-friendly person of the year.
They were taking part in the MediaCorp Gaia Life Challenge 2010.
The winner is 42-year-old Christina Hardie.
She said: "I read all the Hemisphere magazines that were in there (the room), did all the crossword puzzles and word searches. You feel a little bit like a hamster in a cage. Some chaps came up and asked me to turn the fan on, and I said, 'I'm good, I'm all right'. I think a lot of people are very amused by all this."
The idea is to use as little electricity as possible, which means no TV watching or using of the computer.
The contestants also took on challenges that tested their knowledge on topics like water consumption, recycling and energy reduction.
These questions were no trouble for Ms Hardie.
She said: "If you've been living this sort of life for quite a long time, it comes naturally to you, so you don't really need to think about it."
Being environmentally-friendly is almost second nature to Ms Hardie, who runs a cafe selling organic food.
"I recycle, use my own shopping bags.... We eat organic (food), not much meat either," she said.
All three contestants were handpicked from some 200 applicants.
Ms Hardie won $5,000 cash and some household appliances.
The other two contestants also won household appliances.
- CNA/ir
The Star 27 Jun 10;
KOTA KINABALU: The population of saltwater crocodiles in Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei has increased dramatically in the past decade that they could be removed from the endangered list.
The positive development was due to the respective governments implementing management plans to save the once severely depleted wild population of crocodiles.
Participants at a three-day international workshop on Human-Crocodile Conflict (HCC) unanimously congratulated the three governments for their efforts.
The workshop, which was organised by Sabah Wildlife Department with assistance from Crocodile Specialist Group, ended its meeting here yesterday.
The experts said the increased population would allow for the “down-listing” of saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) in north Borneo from endangered to “not necessarily threatened” in the Convention of International Trade of Species (Cites) Appendix II.
HCC is likely to meet again in May and June next year in either Sarawak or Brunei to study progress made on crocodile management.
Among the resolutions passed was for the governments to sustain the increased population and ensure that people play a crucial role in its conservation.
Another was the formulation of a new management plan that integrates a monitoring system of significant habitats and the compilation of a database on the relationship between the crocodile population and human activity.
Other resolutions include ensuring that funding from governments is available for long-term monitoring and management obligations while encouraging increased involvement by the private sector.
Borneo's crocodiles 'no longer endangered'
Yahoo News 27 Jun 10;
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) – Wildlife officials in Malaysian Borneo are pushing to have its saltwater crocodiles removed from a list of endangered animals, saying the reptile's numbers have strongly recovered in recent years.
Deputy director of the Sabah Wildlife Department Augustin Tuuga told AFP that a survey of the Crocodylus porosus population showed there were about 11,000 to 15,000 in the state compared to 1,000 to 5,000 two decades ago.
"We are pushing to have the crocodile downgraded from the 'endangered' to the 'not necessarily threatened' list on the Convention of International Trade of Species (CITES)," he said.
Tuuga said there was big demand for legal crocodile leather from handbag and clothing accessory manufacturers as well as for crocodile meat in kitchens throughout Asia.
"Under CITES, these crocodiles can only come from breeding farms but once the crocodile is downgraded, manufacturers will be able to get the crocodiles from the wild," he added.
"However, before this can happen we must have an effective monitoring mechanism to keep track of the crocodile population to ensure its numbers do not fall below acceptable levels."
Saltwater crocodiles have the most commercially valuable skin of its species and are found from Sri Lanka all the way to the Caroline Islands in the Western Pacific.
Tuuga said the increase in the crocodile population has also seen 38 attacks on humans in the last 10 years with 23 deaths and 15 injuries.
The latest was reported this month when the remains of a man who was eaten while looking for shellfish were found in the south of the state, he said.
However, Tuuga said the increasing population was not the only factor that led to the attacks.
"A lot of the crocodile's habitat has been destroyed by development and much of its food sources have also been depleted so this and the frequent human use of the rivers mean that such attacks will occur," he added.
With some growing up to seven metres (23 feet) in length, the saltwater crocodile has a large head with ridges that run from the eye along the centre of the snout, with bands on its lower flanks and a yellow underside.
Reintroduction of species that Charles Darwin saw raises conservation hopes for other wildlife
Rory Carroll, The Observer guardian.co.uk 27 Jun 10;
Scientists have successfully reintroduced giant tortoises to a Galápagos island where the species once teetered on extinction, raising conservation hopes for the rest of the archipelago.
A survey of Española, the southernmost island, confirmed last week that a pioneering effort to repatriate giant tortoise hatchlings has produced a thriving, reproducing population of more than 1,500 specimens. The project aims to turn the clock back to before human beings all but wiped out a species that helped to inspire Charles Darwin's theories on evolution and natural selection. "It's a great end to a sad story," said Johannah Barry, president of Galápagos Conservancy, a Virginia-based organisation which partly funded the study.
Preliminary results of the survey, conducted over 10 days by 24 wardens from the Galápagos national park authority, found that albatross, cactus and woody vegetation had also partly recovered, restoring the island to something akin to what Darwin saw two centuries ago.
A giant tortoise (Geochelone hoodensis) population which in the 1970s had dropped to about 15 was once again a common sight on the island, said Washington Tapia, a park official who led the survey, which used electronic devices to track the animals. "During the expedition we found nests, recently hatched tortoises, and adults born on Española, which indicates that the tortoise population is doing well."
The population now numbered between 1,500 to 2,000, said Linda Cayot, a scientific adviser to Galápagos Conservancy. "We will have a much better idea when the survey results are compiled." The original population was thought to number up to 5,000 before becoming a vulnerable source of fresh meat for passing sailors.
The project's success has bolstered a plan to "re-tortoise" another island, Pinta, with the same species in the hope of re-creating a "pre-human" balanced ecosystem. The scattering of rocky, volcanic islands 600 miles west of mainland Ecuador are a Unesco world natural heritage site and home to dozens of endemic species found nowhere else. Some 95% of the territory's 3,000 sq miles is a protected area.
"It's completely amazing, one of the few places where you can actually see evolution happening in real time," said Henry Nicholls, ambassador for the Galápagos Conservation Trust. He welcomed the recovery of Española's giant tortoise population. "They are a flagship species which capture the public imagination."
For much of the 20th century the archipelago was a symbol of human destruction. After sailors ran out of tortoises to eat, they introduced goats to several islands. From numbering just a handful the new arrivals multiplied into thousands, then tens of thousands. They stripped vegetation and made the islands uninhabitable for the few remaining tortoises and other endemic species.
Authorities decided to cull the invaders in the 1970s with teams of marksmen, but some goats survived, bred and perpetuated the problem until the 1990s when helicopters, dogs and radio tracking devices were used. The breakthrough was using "Judas" goats fitted with electronic collars to pinpoint the elusive herds.
"Every month they would go back, shoot all of them except the Judas, go back a month later, shoot again and so on, until it was just the Judas left. Then it was shot," said Nicholls.
The threat to the islands' endemic species meant there was little protest over the goat slaughter. "There was little public outrage because it was seen that the tortoises were at risk," said Barry. Scientists moved 15 giant tortoises – among the last survivors of the species – from their ruined Española habitat to a captive breeding programme. As the goats were eradicated, progeny from the breeding programme were reintroduced to the island.
"Tortoises have begun to play their role as ecosystem engineers," said Tapia, leader of the island survey. "We can say with certainty that the ecological integrity of Española is being re-established." A similar plan to repopulate Pinta, on the northern end of the archipelago, is now under way. However, the only surviving Pinta tortoise is Lonesome George, who has failed to reproduce despite decades in a captive breeding programme.
Rather than wait to see if George produces offspring over the next few decades, scientists have decided to introduce Española tortoises — the closest genetic match to their Pinta cousins — to the island. The first 39-strong batch plodded on to their new home in May. They are sterile and will be closely monitored. If all goes well, they will be followed by fertile tortoises. "There is continuing work on all of the islands and the tortoise populations continue to grow. Eventually, we hope to see healthy populations on most of the islands," said Cayot.
Nicholls, author of a book on Lonesome George, said the Galápagos's most famous bachelor may yet sire an heir. "There have been so many surprises with George's story I wouldn't rule it out. And time is on his side." He added: "When it comes to conservation of island biodiversity, goats are pure evil. They reproduce at an unbelievable rate and completely destroy the native plants. The eradication of goats from most of Galápagos is nothing short of incredible. It is the most ambitious, most successful goat eradication campaign waged anywhere in the world."
For ocean life, what lies beneath?
Vesela Todorova The National 27 Jun 10;
They sprang up during the UAE’s building boom to protect luxury beachfront properties, marinas and ports. Now marine scientists are examining whether the country’s stretches of breakwater – of which there are 65km in Dubai alone – can protect life in the ocean as well as on the shore.
While many agree that the breakwaters have gradually attracted thousands of fish and coral species, doubts remain over whether they can ever replicate the diversity of life found on natural reefs. Although coral reefs cover only 0.2 per cent of the ocean floor, they are home to around a quarter of all marine creatures.
Dr Christophe Tourenq, the science and research manager at the Emirates Wildlife Society–World Wide Fund for Nature, said he is sceptical that breakwaters can support such diversity. “Of course you will see fish on the artificial structures,” he said. “The question is, are the populations as viable as on a natural reef?
“You can have thousands of fish on breakwaters, but they can be of one or two species only. Some species have very specific requirements and I don’t think artificial structures fulfil these requirements.”
Dr John Burt, an assistant professor of biology at New York University–Abu Dhabi, spent several years studying breakwaters in Dubai. He was part of a scientific team, headed by the United Nations University’s International Network on Water, Environment and Health, that was hired by the property developer Nakheel to study the environmental impacts of its large coastal projects and the changes in the marine ecosystem they brought about. The collaboration has yielded important results allowing for comparisons between natural reefs and breakwaters.
“In terms of coral and fish communities, you get different assemblages in these two habitats,” said Dr Burt.
“Coral communities on breakwaters, while abundant, are generally much less diverse than those in natural habitats, with over three-quarters of all breakwater corals made up by just three species,” he said.
In the Arabian Gulf, scientists have recorded 43 coral species. Breakwaters almost exclusively feature corals from the family faviidae, also known as brain coral. Table corals, which branch out horizontally, are almost exclusively found on natural reefs, said Dr Burt.
However, the picture is more complicated than a simple dismissal of the engineered structures, some of which have become healthy marine communitiesin their own right, providing a hard substrate for coral to settle and attract fish.
“Coral communities on mature breakwaters can be quite extensive, covering more than half of the available substrate compared with just over a third on some of the more extensive reefs in Dubai,” said Dr Burt. “Similarly, fish communities are quite dense on breakwaters, with more than three times the abundance on breakwaters compared with natural reefs in the summer,” he said. “These observations support the suggestions that these are important man-made ecosystems in coastal environments, and that they do represent large-scale artificial reefs.
“All coral reefs have to have a hard substrate to start [growing]. By putting in breakwaters, we are creating this kind of habitat that coral and other associated fauna require for their existence.”
Whether breakwaters are able to serve these purposes depends on how they are designed. Through his research, Dr Burt has found out that the type of material used to build the breakwaters makes a difference. Gabro, a rock commonly quarried here, has great potential to attract corals. Concrete, on the other hand, does not. “Man-made structures can form an important component of the marine ecosystem in coastal urban areas, but both natural reef and breakwater communities are unique in their own right,” said Dr Burt.
“This suggests that coastal development should be done in as ecologically sensitive a way as possible to prevent impacts to natural reefs, and that we can and should improve the ecological design of breakwaters”. Nakheel said the breakwater surrounding projects, including the Palm islands, has “substantially increased” the amount of habitat for flora and fauna in the Emirate. “Before its creation, nearly all of the UAE coastline and seabed was sandy terrain,” a spokesperson said. “The rock breakwaters provide areas of protected habitat for juvenile fish, which serve as the basis of the marine food chain.”
The developer admitted it could not provide a replacement for reefs that were harmed by coastal development, but could offset the negative effects. “There is no replacement for natural coral reefs,” the spokesperson said. “[But] the creation of tens of kilometres of coastal rock breakwater has provided substantially more eco-habitat than originally existed. [It] can be considered as mitigation to any negative impact.”
But environmentalists still urged that the priority should be to protect the natural reefs.
“Money should be put in protecting the existing natural reefs through efficient management and the creation of marine protected areas,” said Dr Tourenq.
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