Channel NewsAsia 23 Aug 17;
SINGAPORE: The National Parks Board (NParks) has put up warning signs at Changi Beach Park following reports of a crocodile in the area.
Channel NewsAsia understands the signs were put up on Monday (Aug 21).
Video and photos circulating on social media appeared to show a crocodile in the waters around Changi Beach.
One eyewitness, who did not want to be named, said that he had seen a crocodile near Changi Point Ferry Terminal for the past four days, including near the boardwalk area close to the ferry terminal.
He added that he had also made reports to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) and to NParks.
The latest sighting comes after at least two sightings were reported at Pasir Ris Park earlier this month.
A crocodile was seen at the mudflat of Sungei Tampines in Pasir Ris Park and another sighting was reported in the waters off the park's beach on another occasion.
According to wildlife photographer Jeffery Teo, the Changi crocodile is probably the same as the one spotted in Pasir Ris, as crocodiles are usually spotted on the north-west side of Singapore but rarely in the north-east.
"I think it's highly unlikely there are two crocodiles ... my gut feel is that it's probably just one crocodile," he said.
"In Kranji, Sungei Buloh, we do see crocodiles regularly, but (the one in) the north-east is a rare sighting, so this particular crocodile is gaining a lot of interest."
He added the crocodile was an estuarine crocodile and that it could possibly have come from Malaysia, but that it was probably a "transient crocodile".
"(It's) just exploring, it hasn't located a place to stay, that's why you see it moving to different places."
He added that it could possibly stay put in Changi, depending on how good the environment was.
Responding to the sightings at Pasir Ris, NParks had said they were likely to be of estuarine crocodiles as they are known to "swim freely in the Straits of Johor".
It told visitors to keep to designated paths and away from water edges. Should members of the public encounter a crocodile, they should "stay calm and back away slowly" and not approach, provoke or feed it, NParks added.
If members of the public need help, they should call the NParks helpline at 1800-471 7300. More information on estuarine crocodiles can be found on NParks’ website.
Warning signs put up at Changi Beach Park after crocodile sighting
Lee Min Kok Straits Times 24 Aug 17;
SINGAPORE - Warning signs have been put up at Changi Beach Park after a reported sighting of a crocodile in the area.
The Straits Times understands that the signs have been put up since Monday (Aug 21).
Mr Yusaini Abdul Rahim, 41, an Immigration & Checkpoints Authority officer working at Changi Ferry Point Terminal, first saw the crocodile on Monday morning while out on patrol.
He subsequently contacted the National Parks Board (NParks) and Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority.
Mr Yusaini spotted the reptile again on Wednesday and posted several photos and videos of it on Facebook.
His Facebook post, which came with a warning to people not to swim at the beach, has since received over 7,000 shares.
"My immediate priority was to warn the public to stay away as it can be quite dangerous," Mr Yusaini told ST.
He suggested that the crocodile could be the same one that was spotted at Pasir Ris Park earlier this month.
Sightings of crocodiles, while not uncommon in places such as Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in north-western Singapore, are much rarer in the north-eastern region.
NParks, in response to the Pasir Ris sightings, had said it is monitoring the situation and will take steps to remove the crocodile should it venture into publicly accessible areas.
It also advised people who come across a crocodile to stay calm and back away slowly. They should not approach, provoke or feed the animal, and can call the NParks helpline on 1800-471-7300 for assistance.
The Straits Times has contacted NParks for more information.
Crocodile sighted twice in Changi Beach Park area
NParks urges park users to heed warning signs and stay away from water edges
Lee Min Kok Straits Times 25 Aug 17;
Warning signs have been put up at Changi Beach Park after a reported sighting of a crocodile in the area.
The Straits Times understands that the signs have been up since Monday.
Mr Yusaini Abdul Rahim, an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority officer working at Changi Ferry Point Terminal, first saw the crocodile on Monday morning while out on patrol. The 41-year-old then contacted the National Parks Board (NParks) and Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA).
He spotted the reptile again on Wednesday and posted several photos and videos of it on Facebook. The post has since received over 7,000 shares.
"My immediate priority was to warn the public to stay away as it can be quite dangerous," Mr Yusaini told ST yesterday.
He suggested that the crocodile could be the same one that was spotted at Pasir Ris Park earlier this month.
Sightings of crocodiles, while not uncommon in places such as Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in north-western Singapore, are much rarer in the north-eastern region.
Mr Yusaini Abdul Rahim, an ICA officer who works at Changi Ferry Point Terminal, spotted the crocodile twice while he was on patrol. He posted some photos and videos of the reptile on Facebook to warn others to be careful while in the area.
NParks' group director of parks Chia Seng Jiang told ST that the board is aware of recent sightings of a crocodile in the waters around Changi Beach Park.
"On Aug 21, 2017, a crocodile was sighted in the waters off the beach area of the park," he said. "It was likely an estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)."
Estuarine crocodiles are known to swim freely in the Strait of Johor. They feed and rest in mangroves and freshwater bodies, and are usually found in the water or at mudflats away from visitor routes.
Mr Chia said NParks is working with the AVA and Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) to monitor the sightings of the crocodile, as well as to catch and move it to another location, for the safety of park users.
"NParks and AVA have also advised vessel owners, fish farmers, and operators of establishments along the coast to take the necessary precautions," he said.
Warning signs and advisory notices have been put up in the park near water edges.
"Visitors should heed these signs, in particular to keep to designated paths and away from water edges," said Mr Chia.
He also advised people who come across a crocodile to stay calm and back away slowly. They should not approach, provoke or feed the animal, and can call the NParks helpline on 1800-471-7300 for assistance.
