Siau Ming En Today Online 15 Nov 13;
SINGAPORE — Rescued and rehabilitated wild animals, previously caged in a quarantine facility, can now be cared for at the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society’s (ACRES) new wildlife sanctuary.
Built by more than 100 volunteers over six months, the new sanctuary at ACRES Wildlife Rescue Centre was yesterday officially opened by Minister of State (National Development) Desmond Lee.
“I think that (this) kind of community involvement is the kind of involvement that we would like to encourage — getting involved, getting your hands dirty, working the ground,” he said.
Together with ACRES volunteers, Mr Lee helped to release 46 animals, including turtles and an iguana, into the 300 sq m sanctuary. ACRES rescues some 200 animals every month, mostly injured or abandoned victims of the illegal wildlife trade.
The sanctuary will allow the animals to roam outdoors after they have been treated for their injuries and free up space in the current quarantine facility, which has reached its full capacity, said ACRES Chief Executive Louis Ng.
A programme is also underway with the aim of eventually releasing the animals back into the wild in their native countries. There are plans, for instance, to release a star tortoise, dubbed Big Momma, back to India. She was smuggled here and was among the animals released yesterday.
But the entire process could take years because of all the paperwork required, said Mr Ng. In some countries, including India, there are additional requirements, such as a year-long quarantine before the animals can return, he added.
Mr Ng revealed that ACRES will be building more enclosures, such as an upcoming one for snakes. But he said that, amid the rescue work, there is a vital need to educate the public about the illegal trading of wild animals.
“If people stop buying, people will stop smuggling them,” he added.
