The Big Read: Saving Singapore's endangered species, one 'animal bridge' at a time - CNA

GOING BEYOND REMEDIAL MEASURES

Ultimately, environmentalists stressed the need to go beyond remedial measures. 

Said Dr Ho of Nature Society: "More and more developments are going on and gaps are increasing. In a way, we are playing catch up, but we are lagging far behind to fill the existing gaps and more gaps keep coming up."

To sustain Singapore's biodiversity, the basic problem of development would have to be addressed, he added. 

To this end, the "first important principle" is to preserve existing stretches, belts and patches of forests that are left in Singapore. The preservation target should approach the United Nations Convention of Biological Diversity's benchmark of 17 per cent for terrestrial nature conservation.  

However, the authorities have been reluctant about preserving green spaces on dry land which is more suitable for development, said Dr Ho.

He noted that although the authorities have said that there are no immediate plans to develop Clementi forest, after a public petition early last year, it still remains classified for residential use. 

Similarly, it is unclear if secondary forests such as Windsor Nature Park which are buffer areas for forested nature reserves will be preserved in the long-term, he said. 

Despite massive development in the city-state, environmentalists acknowledged that the authorities have made efforts to attract wildlife and rebuild habitats. These include intensifying greenery with native trees and shrubs as part of NParks' rewilding plan, as well as the aim to plant more than a million trees by 2030. 

Ms Anbarasi of Acres noted that such efforts have paid off. For instance, hornbills have repopulated Singapore with help from conservation efforts by NParks, and wild animals such as otters are adapting to the urban habitat.

'CAN'T BE NEGOTIATING WITH A MONKEY'

But while Singapore has been successful in attracting nature, there is still "a long way to go" before Singaporeans learn to coexist with nature, said Ms Anbarasi. 

She cited the example of a school student who had pleaded with a monkey that had snatched his school bag to return it. The incident which was captured on video had gone viral on social media last week.

While the boy's pleas were non-aggressive, Ms Anbarasi said that people have to be more aware.

"We cannot be negotiating with a monkey. It would be a completely different conversation today if the monkey had turned aggressive and scratched the boy," she added. 

She hoped that there would be more awareness, especially among young children, to know how to prevent their belongings from being snatched, and to not try to take their items back from a monkey. They also need to understand why the monkey was sighted in the vicinity in this instance.

"We still have a long way to go in terms of embracing all wildlife and sharing space, even with animals that cause a little bit of inconvenience that we want to get rid of," she said. 

Despite Acres' public education efforts, Ms Anbarasi said that animals are still "paying the price" for people's lack of wildlife awareness and etiquette when encountering animals. Animals are forced to relocate or be even euthanised for coming into contact with humans. 

Striking a hopeful tone, Dr Ang said that with more people being exposed to Singapore's biodiversity during the Covid-19 pandemic, public sentiment has become more positive towards the country's natural heritage and people are more engaged in discourse about the environment.

She cited how public consultation had contributed to the development plans for Dover forest last year.