2 Asian leopard cats abandoned at Bukit Batok, rescued by ACRES

Channel NewsAsia 12 Jan 19;

SINGAPORE: Two critically endangered Asian leopard cats were rescued by an animal welfare group after being found abandoned in a carrier at Bukit Batok West last month.

Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) said it received a call at about 10am on Dec 20 from a member of the public, claiming to have found two Asian leopard cats abandoned in a carrier at Bukit Batok West Avenue 6.

The cats were picked up by ACRES in the afternoon.

According to ACRES deputy chief executive Anbarasi Boopal, the cats seemed "very stressed from the environment and transport", but appeared to be fine externally.

Asian leopard cats are critically endangered in Singapore and are very rare. They can only be found in some restricted areas and nature reserves.

They are small nocturnal predators whose diet also consists of rodents, amphibians and reptiles, ACRES said in a Facebook post on Friday.

"Please leave wild animals in the wild. If you think the wild animal is in distress, please call our 24-hour wildlife rescue hotline 97837782 for assistance," the post added.

This is not the first case of Asian leopard cats from the illicit pet trade being found in Singapore, said Ms Anbarasi.

Two were reported to be kept as illegal pets in July 2018, with another being abandoned that same year.

ACRES' 2015 investigation on online wildlife trade showed that Asian leopard cats were offered for sale, along with other wild mammals like slow lorises.

Source: CNA/ic

Two endangered Asian leopard cats abandoned at Bukit Batok HDB block rescued by Acres
Tee Zhuo Straits Times 20 Dec 19;

SINGAPORE - Two Asian leopard cats were rescued by the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) after being abandoned at a Housing Board block in Bukit Batok.

Acres deputy chief executive Anbarasi Boopal told The Straits Times on Saturday (Jan 12) that it had received a call on Dec 20 at around 10am.

A member of the public said they found the cats in a carrier at a HDB block near Bukit Batok West Avenue 6.

"They appeared normal externally but were very stressed from the rescue, transfer and new environment," Ms Anbarasi added.

Acres has since referred the case to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA).

In a Facebook post on Friday, Acres said that investigations were being conducted and added that the cats are currently under the care of the Singapore Zoo.

Asian leopard cats are shy, small nocturnal predators native to Singapore. Their diet consists of rodents, amphibians and reptiles.

ST reported in February 2016 that leopard cats are the last remaining wild cat species here, but are critically endangered due to the loss of their natural forest habitat.

One researcher estimated no more than 20 leopard cats living on the mainland at the time.

Leopard cats are also common victims of the illegal wildlife trade. They are hunted for the pet trade, for their bones, which are used in some Asian traditional medicines, and for their fur.

Acres said in its Facebook post: "Please leave wild animals in the wild. If you think the wild animal is in distress, please call our 24-hour wildlife rescue hotline 9783-7782 for assistance."

Members of the public with information on the ownership or sale of such animals should contact the AVA or Acres at acrescrime@gmail.com