Developing Action Plan for Urban Wildlife Management with Stronger Focus on Co-existence Measures

4 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for National Development whether the Ministry will develop an action plan for urban wildlife management in consultation with nature groups and with a stronger focus on co-existence measures rather than removal of wildlife which reinforces the mindset that native wildlife are pests.

The Senior Minister of State for National Development (Ms Sim Ann) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the National Parks Board (NParks) adopts a holistic, science-based approach to wildlife management and works closely with the community to promote harmonious human-wildlife co-existence.

NParks works with various stakeholders, such as nature groups, academics, agencies and the community in its public education and outreach efforts. This is one of the key thrusts of NParks’ wildlife management approach. For example, NParks partners these stakeholders to develop educational resources and outreach initiatives to advise the community on how to respond to wildlife sightings and to raise public awareness on the negative impact of feeding wildlife. In addition, NParks works with stakeholders to host its monthly human-wildlife encounters webinar series, to promote responsible behaviour during such encounters. NParks also works with nature groups as part of various working groups to manage wildlife, including co-creating plans to address issues, such as wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and release.

As part of NParks’ science-based approach to wildlife management, NParks also conducts population surveys and research studies to better understand the distribution of wildlife in Singapore. For example, by identifying wildlife hotspots, NParks is able to implement mitigation measures against roadkill, such as putting in place vehicle speed reduction measures. Notwithstanding this, NParks may have to carry out measures, such as the removal of wildlife, to safeguard public safety, where needed.

NParks will continue to work closely with the community to promote harmonious human-wildlife co-existence as part of our efforts to transform Singapore into a City in Nature. All of us can also play our part by not feeding wildlife, keeping our residential areas clean and appreciating wildlife from a safe distance.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Mr Louis Ng.

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang (Nee Soon): Sir, I thank the Senior Minister of State for the reply. Could I ask specifically whether we can stop the poisoning of wild animals? I know we are doing that currently. The problem here is that it is not just the target species that dies but there is a huge knock-on effect.

Just recently, ACRES rescued a white-bellied sea eagle which had consumed a poisoned wildlife. Thankfully, it recovered and was released back into the wild but there were many cases where cats, dogs, other animals consume the poisoned animal and they subsequently die.

So, could I ask whether we can stop this practice – not have measures in place during the poisoning exercise but stop this practice altogether?

Ms Sim Ann: I thank Mr Louis Ng for the question. Our approach towards wildlife management, as I have mentioned, is such that we would have to be very much based on the science of animal management. We would need to study the ecology and, where possible, to work on the upstream measures. The upstream measures are very key and include food source reduction. So, this is where we place a lot of our efforts.

Where necessary, we would also consider animal control measures, but these would have to be done in a humane and safe manner.

With regard to the use of poison, specifically, NParks does not use poison in the control of pest birds. NParks is also working with the Town Councils to encourage them to move away from the use of toxins and to adopt animal control measures and practices that are humane and safe.