Crocodile spotted in drain in Sungei Kadut caught, transferred to farm: NParks

Channel NewsAsia 21 Jun 19;

SINGAPORE: A crocodile that was seen in a drain at Sungei Kadut Drive on Friday (Jun 21) has been caught and transported to a crocodile farm, said National Parks Board (NParks).

“NParks officers worked with our trained contractors to secure the crocodile. It has since been translocated to a crocodile farm,” it said in response to CNA's queries.

NParks was alerted to the sighting of the Estuarine crocodile at 8.20am, it said.

The crocodile was spotted by employees at concrete company Star Ready Mix.

“My colleagues were on their coffee or breakfast breaks when they saw the crocodile in the drain. Not sure what time it got there," said Mdm Jennifer Pong, 65, an administrative staff.

"Then police (came) and some other people took the crocodile,” she added.

A video circulating on Facebook showed the crocodile lying motionless in the drain as five employees in orange Star Ready Mix uniforms looked on.

A separate photo showed the crocodile tied up and on a pavement after it was brought out of the drain. The crocodile's mouth was wrapped in a white sheet.

National water agency PUB said its officers will be patrolling the drains at Sungei Kadut and the nearby Kranji Reservior over the next few days, to ensure that there are no further crocodile sightings.

"Members of the public should stay calm and back away slowly should they encounter a crocodile," PUB added.

Source: CNA/na(aj)

Crocodile appears in Sungei Kadut drain, gets caught
Today Online 21 Jun 19;

SINGAPORE — A crocodile appeared in a drain along Sungei Kadut Drive on Friday (June 21), and it has been captured and transferred to a crocodile farm.

Photos and videos of the reptile emerged on social media, with one video showing the crocodile lying on its side, unmoving, as onlookers peered at it from behind the safety of railings.

One photo showed the crocodile with its limbs and snout tied up and its head covered.

In response to TODAY's queries, the National Parks Board (NParks) said it was alerted to the sighting of an Estuarine crocodile in a drain at 8.20am on Friday.

"NParks officers worked with our trained contractors to secure the crocodile. It has since been translocated to a crocodile farm," NParks said.

It advises members of the public who encounter a crocodile to "stay calm and back away slowly".

"They should not approach, provoke, or feed the animal," NParks said. "The public may also call the Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600 or contact us at www.avs.gov.sg/feedback to report the encounter."

Separately, PUB said in a statement on Friday evening that it was aware of the crocodile’s capture.

“PUB officers will be patrolling the surrounding drains in Sungei Kadut and the nearby Kranji Reservoir over the next few days to ensure that there are no further crocodile sightings,” it said.

This is not the first time that a crocodile has wandered into an urban area this year.

On Feb 23, a 1.7m Estuarine crocodile was caught at Lower Seletar Reservoir more than a week after it was first spotted.

Initial sightings of the crocodile on Feb 14 had caused all water and fishing activities to be ceased within the reservoir.

The saltwater crocodile is one of the largest in the world and can grow to more than 5m.

They inhabit brackish and freshwater areas such as coastal areas and wetlands.


Move captured crocodile to River Safari
Straits Times 25 Jun 19;

From a natural history perspective, I was heartened to read of an estuarine crocodile measuring 3.4m long being found in a drain in Sungei Kadut Drive (Croc spotted in drain captured, June 22).

Not only is this crocodile species endangered in Singapore, I believe this is also one of the largest crocodiles to be found in the wild here.

Thus, I am concerned to learn that the National Parks Board (NParks) has transferred the reptile to a crocodile farm. I hope it does not mean the crocodile is going to be turned into a bag one day!

I appeal to NParks to send the crocodile to the River Safari instead, where I hope Wildlife Reserves Singapore will allow it to live out the rest of its life in safety and relative comfort.

Singaporeans and tourists can then be both educated and "entertained" as they marvel at how such a magnificent beast can survive in our urban landscape.

One day, after it dies, I also hope that it can be preserved by a taxidermist for future generations to view at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum.

Edwin Pang


Why captured crocodile was relocated to farm
Straits Times 5 Jul 19;

We refer to the letter "Move captured crocodile to River Safari" (June 25), and thank Mr Edwin Pang for sharing his concerns about the estuarine crocodile that was relocated from the drain in Sungei Kadut Drive.

There are limited areas to which crocodiles can be relocated in Singapore. When a crocodile is rescued from an urban area and needs to be relocated, the National Parks Board (NParks) considers factors such as the age, size and health condition of the crocodile, public safety and the carrying capacity of habitats for relocation.

In February , we relocated a 1.7m crocodile to the core area of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, which is not accessible by the public.

In this case, this mature crocodile was found to have a severely injured left hind foot. It had to be placed in a location where it can continue to be monitored, and where it has a higher chance of survival than in the wild. It could not be absorbed into Wildlife Reserves Singapore's collection as the zoo already has a saturated crocodile population. It was therefore relocated to the crocodile farm.

We value and understand the importance of the conservation of our wildlife, and NParks' decision to relocate the crocodile to the farm was taken only after it had reassured us that it would care for the crocodile.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind members of the public that should they encounter a crocodile, they should stay calm and back away slowly. They should not approach, provoke or feed the animal. The public may also call the Animal Response Centre on 1800-476-1600 or contact us at www.avs.gov.sg/feedback to report the encounter.

How Choon Beng
Director, Wildlife Management
National Parks Board