Today Online 7 Nov 17;
SINGAPORE — A crocodile sighting in a construction site next to the National Sailing Centre (NSC) on Monday (Nov 6) has resulted in the Singapore Sailing Federation (SSF) suspending all water activities in the area.
According to a spokesperson from the SSF, contractors working at the site had spotted the crocodile on Monday afternoon.
“We’ve stepped up measures to ensure the safety of the sailors…We are in close communication with experts and authorities such as National Parks Board, Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) and other relevant government bodies and are adhering to guidelines published by them,” said the spokesperson.
“We have suspended all on-water activities till further notice and will continue to monitor the situation closely. This is a precautionary measure as safety of our sailors is the number one priority.”
Some 120 sailors were affected by the suspension of activities on Monday, and a regatta scheduled for next weekend, the NSC Cup Series 3, could also be postponed. The SSF said that it is exploring “alternative and temporary” activity and training areas for its sailors during this period.
Responding to queries from TODAY, Chia Seng Jiang, Group Director, National Parks Board (NParks), said in a statement: “The National Parks Board was alerted on 6 and 7 November 2017 to sightings of a crocodile in the waters near the National Sailing Centre. It was likely an Estuarine Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). Estuarine Crocodiles are known to swim freely in the waters between Singapore and Malaysia.
“For the safety of park users, we are working with the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) to monitor the sightings, catch and translocate the crocodile. We have also advised the operators of establishments along the coast to take the necessary precautions.”
Advisory notices have also been placed on the shore to warn the public of the danger, and visitors are advised to stay on designated paths and away from the water edges.
While this is the first time that a crocodile has been spotted in the area, there have been recent sightings in other parts of Singapore. In August, nature photographers and visitors to the Pasir Ris Park alerted the NParks after spotting reptiles on two separate occasions.
National Sailing Centre suspends water activities after crocodile sighted at East Coast Park
Channel NewsAsia 7 Nov 17;
SINGAPORE: The National Sailing Centre (NSC) has ceased all water activities after a crocodile was spotted at East Coast Park, a spokesperson told Channel NewsAsia on Tuesday (Nov 7).
The reptile was spotted by contractors working in the East Coast Park area on Monday, triggering the centre to cancel water training, as well as alert sailors, schools and coaches.
"To our knowledge, the crocodile was not seen in the open water, but at the construction site next to NSC," the spokesperson said, adding that the building works were unrelated to the centre.
A total of 120 NSC users were affected including sailors of various ages.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday night, the Singapore Sailing Federation assured its users and parents of young participants that safety was its "number one concern" and that it "would not hesitate to cancel upcoming events" if on-water activities were deemed unsafe.
NSC is monitoring the situation and is working very closely with Government authorities like the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority, and the National Parks Board (NParks), said the spokesperson.
There have been several crocodile sightings this year, with reports on Changi Beach Park and Pasir Ris Park in August alone. In the latter instance, NParks had said they were "likely to be estuarine crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus), which are known to swim freely in the Straits of Johor".
Croc seen at East Coast; sailing centre halts activities
Lydia Lam Straits Times 8 Nov 17;
The National Sailing Centre (NSC) has suspended its water activities after a crocodile was spotted at a construction site at East Coast Park on Monday. It was seen in the water at the site, where a canal is being built.
A spokesman told The Straits Times yesterday that workers at a construction site nearby saw the large reptile on Monday afternoon.
About 120 sailors were affected when activities were halted.
"The Singapore Sailing Federation informed the National Parks Board (NParks) immediately and called off all water training immediately," said the NSC spokesman.
"As the safety of the participants is our priority, on-water activities will be ceased until further notice."
The spokesman said this was the first time a crocodile has been sighted near the sailing centre.
There were two reported sightings of crocodiles near Pasir Ris Park in August.
Mr Chia Seng Jiang, group director of parks at NParks, said the agency was alerted on Monday and Tuesday to sightings of a crocodile in the waters near NSC. "It was likely an estuarine crocodile," he said. "Estuarine crocodiles are known to swim freely in the waters between Singapore and Malaysia."
NParks is working with the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority to monitor the sightings, catch and relocate the crocodile.
"We have also advised the operators of establishments along the coast to take the necessary precautions," said Mr Chia. Advisory notices have been put up in the area.
A parent, who declined to be named, said: "All these kids shouldn't be allowed to sail in the area unless that crocodile is relocated."
He added that there is a sailing regatta coming up next weekend involving about 200 schoolchildren at the NSC. "Many of the parents are very worried now. Because this is a National Ranking regatta, they fear they will be forced to put their kids in harm's way."
Yesterday, signs were put up at the beach near the NSC advising beachgoers on what to do if they encounter a crocodile.
The NSC spokesman said it is looking for alternative areas where it can hold events temporarily. "We will continue to observe the area to ensure it is safe before any water activity is conducted," he added.
NParks advises East Coast Park visitors to keep to designated paths and away from water edges. Those who encounter a crocodile should stay calm and back away slowly. They should not approach, provoke, or feed the animal. Those who need help should call the NParks helpline on 1800-471-7300.
Some parents worried over croc sighting
Audrey Tan Straits Times 9 Nov 17;
While parkgoers are not worried about hitting the beach at East Coast Park after a crocodile was sighted there, parents of young sailors feel events around the area should be cancelled for now.
The reptile was spotted on Monday at a construction site next to the National Sailing Centre at East Coast Park, prompting the centre to suspend all water activities until further notice, a spokesman said yesterday.
But parkgoer Alan Leong, 45, who was setting up camp next to the centre yesterday, was not worried. The operations manager said: "The crocodile could just be passing by... When in the water, people should just take precautions and not stay in for extended periods of time."
Student Putera Aiman Roslan, 17, was more cautious. "I am not worried about the crocodile unless I have to go into the water, which I don't plan to do today," he said.
A parent, who declined to be named, said all water activities should be suspended until the crocodile is caught and relocated.
He also said a regatta organised by the Changi Sailing Club, due to be held at the end of this month near where crocodiles were seen in August, should be cancelled as well.
"Or if they are adamant on having a regatta, then reclassify it as a non-ranking regatta so parents won't be pressurised to (let their children) participate," he added.
The latest sighting is believed to be one of the first reported ones of the reptile in the Singapore Strait south of the mainland. Crocodiles have been seen in the Johor Strait along the northern coast, mainly in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.
But in August, there were also sightings of them at Pasir Ris Park and Changi Beach Park, leading the authorities to put up signboards.
A sign on the beach displays what to do during a crocodile encounter
The National Parks Board (NParks) and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority said then that they would monitor and try to relocate the crocodiles. However, The Straits Times understands that no further sightings have been reported in the areas since.
Dr Adrian Loo, NParks' acting group director for conservation, said the board will, upon receiving reports of crocodile sightings in areas managed under them, monitor the area to verify the presence and location of the crocodile.
"For public safety, we will plan to catch and translocate the crocodile if sightings are made at areas where water activities take place frequently and there is potential impact on recreational uses. Concurrently, we will put up advisory signs near the water's edge and advise operators of establishments along the coast to take the necessary precautions. Park staff on regular patrols will also advise visitors venturing close to the water's edge."
Nature guide Ivan Kwan believes the previous sightings at Pasir Ris and Changi may involve one individual that has now made its way to East Coast. "Or they could be different individuals dispersing from Johor, where mangroves are being destroyed, forcing crocodiles to seek new homes."
He noted that the estuarine crocodile is territorial, so these animals could be showing up in Singapore waters due to a combination of factors, such as the loss of mangrove habitats in the eastern Johor Strait, or that available territories are being occupied by older, larger crocodiles.
Mr Stephen Beng, chairman of the marine conservation group of the Nature Society (Singapore), advised people to be careful when around estuarine crocodile habitats, and to heed warning signs.
"We need to study their ecology and population. We also need education and management programmes to mitigate conflict," he said.
Beachgoers not worried about presence of crocodile at East Coast Parkway
Audrey Tan Straits Times 8 Nov 17;
SINGAPORE - A crocodile was spotted at a stretch of East Coast Park earlier this week, but parkgoers in the area told The Straits Times on Wednesday (Nov 8) that they were not worried.
Operations manager Alan Leong, 45, who was preparing for a barbecue and setting up camp next to the National Sailing Centre, near where the reptile was sighted, said: "The crocodile could just be passing by. People should be alarmed only if it is repeatedly seen in the area. When in the water, people should just take precautions and not stay in for extended periods of time."
Eugene Lim, 37, who is self-employed, echoed Mr Leong's sentiments as he prepared for a barbecue. "In countries such as the US or Australia, wildlife like alligators periodically show up, and people learn to cope with them. I don't think the authorities should ban swimming."
Student Putera Aiman Roslan, 17, was more cautious. "I'm not worried about the crocodile unless I have to go into the water, which I don't plan to do today," he said.
A crocodile was seen on Monday at a construction area next to the National Sailing Centre at East Coast Park, causing the centre to suspend all its water activities. When The Straits Times visited the centre on Wednesday, it was calm and no sailing activity was observed. A centre spokesman said that water activities are being suspended till further notice.
However, according to a WhatsApp message circulating among the parents of student sailors that The Straits Times has seen, water activities at a neighbouring sailing club at the National Service Resort & Country Club are slated to start on Thursday.
One of the parents, who declined to be named, said most parents think that all water activities should be suspended until the crocodile is caught and relocated. He said a regatta organised by the Changi Sailing Club due to be held near where crocodiles were seen in August should be cancelled. "Or if they are adamant on having a regatta, then reclassify it as a non-ranking regatta so parents won't be pressurised to participate," he added. Parents have to consent to their children taking part in the regatta.
The latest sighting of the crocodile at East Coast is believed to be one of the first times the reptile has been detected in the Singapore Strait south of the mainland.
Crocodiles have previously been seen in the Johor Strait along the northern coast, mainly in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. But in August, there were also sightings of crocodiles at Changi Beach Park and Pasir Ris Park, leading the authorities to put up signboards warning people against getting too close to the animals. The National Parks Board (NParks) and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority said then that they would monitor and try to relocate the crocodiles. However, as of last month, no crocodiles have been seen.
Nature guide Ivan Kwan thinks that the previous sightings at Pasir Ris and Changi all involve one individual that has now made its way to East Coast. "Or they could all be different individuals, all dispersing from Johor, where mangroves are being destroyed, forcing crocodiles to seek new homes." NParks said previously that estuarine crocodiles are known to swim freely in the Johor Strait.
Mr Kwan noted that the estuarine crocodile is territorial, so these animals could be showing up in Singapore waters due to a combination of factors: loss of mangrove habitats in eastern Johor Strait, or available territories being occupied by older, larger crocodiles. "So these younger individuals, in search of territories of their own, are venturing to areas without resident crocodiles to look for a suitable place to establish their own territories," he said.
He added that studies in Australia have shown that young crocodiles can travel great distances in search of territory. ABC News reported in 2015 that University of Queensland reseachers found that one crocodile had travelled more than 400km down a gulf.
