Celebrating Singapore's BioDiversity!

Kids! Send your artwork on nature and trees!

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 02:43:00 +0000

Join the Trees for Life Art Competition 2012! Share your love for nature and win prizes!

Click on image for larger view of poster.

Calling all preschool, primary and secondary school students! Paint your love for trees and nature and stand to win attractive prizes including an Apple iPad 2. The best paintings will be showcased to thousands of visitors at the prestigious Singapore Garden Festival 2012 and at various public libraries.

More details on the NParks Heritage Trees page.

Closing date: 9 March 2012.

Enquiries: nparks_urban_gardening@nparks.gov.sg or 62739043.

Tigers on Ubin, birds that sew, extinct orchid rediscovered and more!

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 08:15:00 +0000

Yes, there are Tigers at Ubin! Tiger butterflies that is! Developed with the advice of Khew Sin Khoon from Butterfly Circle, Butterfly Hill on Pulau Ubin boasts a wide variety of beautiful butts.

Read about this and about birds that sew up leaves, rare and new plant discoveries and more in the latest issues of My Green Space Issue 12 Vol 1/2012 a magazine of the National Parks Board.

Robert Teo in Butterfly Hill – Where Tigers Fly! shares more about what we can see at this specially designed butterfly spot. He says "some rarities here include Common Jay and Dwarf Crow. The last species was previously presumed to be extinct in Singapore. It was only rediscovered in 2002 at Pulau Ubin, and is so far known only from this locality."

I've always read about the marvellous Tailorbird that stitch leaves together with spider silk to make a little pocket which is lined with soft fluffy seeds for a cosy little nest.

So it was great to see photos of this amazing little creature and read more about it in Sharon Chan's Tailors at Work.

Out of the heartbreaking damage to Mandai forests, the worst in 20 years, a marvellous find. As explained by the authors in From Destruction Comes Rediscovery "On the evening of 11 February 2011, an intense localised storm struck the Mandai forest north of Upper Seletar Reservoir. More than 30 hectares of forest were severely damaged – trunks and branches were snapped, with many big trees uprooted." More about this storm here and here.

"A few days after the storm, during a boat survey of the damage along the reservoir ... Derek suddenly shouted for the boat to go nearer the edge. He had spotted something with his binoculars. Upon closer inspection, he saw it was a clump of orchids growing on an uprooted silverback tree."

Eventually, the orchid was found to be Bromheadia alticola, previously thought nationally extinct. This epiphytic orchid typically forms a large clump of about 1.5 metres in diameter on the trunks of the loftiest trees. It was last collected in the 1890s by the Gardens’ first director, Mr H. N. Ridley.

Another lucky discovery was made during a survey for gingers! Dischidia hirsuta, considered National Extinct, usuallys grow in the forest canopy. The plant found had probably fallen with the branch it grew on, or we would otherwise not have noticed it. Read more about the find in Rewriting the Record Books by Dr Michele Rodda.

The magazine also has updates on fun family activities where ordinary people can learn and experience our nature places.

In Having Fun in an Outdoor Classroom by Ng Li-San find out what happens during the specially crafted Learning Journey activities for children at the Jacob Ballas Children Garden (JBCG) in the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

In Walking with Giants by Valerie Wee find out what happens during a guided walk by volunteers in last main area of primary rainforest left in Singapore – the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

For the latest listing of nature activities, check out wildsingapore happenings.

There are more articles! Check them out on the latest issues of My Green Space Issue 12 Vol 1/2012.

2012: A decade of biodiversity and focus on marine biodiversity

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 01:36:00 +0000

As International Year of the Forest 2011 winds down, what will be the focus in 2012? While no specific biodiversity aspect will be highlighted in 2012 as a "UN International Year of", 2011-2020 has been designated UN Decade of Biodiversity!

The Decade of Biodiversity have five strategic goals and 20 ambitious yet achievable targets.

Collectively known as the Aichi Targets, the aim is to inspire broad-based action in support of biodiversity over this decade (2011-2020). Towards these three objectives: conservation of biodiversity; sustainable use of biodiversity; fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.

Here's the official Decade of Biodiversity video clip with more about the issues and what is being done. There is hope yet!

22 May is International Day of Biological Diversity and in 2012, the focus is on Marine Biodiversity!

The press release designating this theme highlighted that lack of awareness is a key issue:

"Challenges facing marine biodiversity are unprecedented. Life in the oceans is under serious threats. Continuously increasing human impacts in coastal areas have destroyed over 65% of seagrass and wetland habitat, degraded water quality and accelerated species invasions. It is estimated that the world has effectively lost 19% of the original area of coral reefs and 35% are seriously threatened with loss within the next decades. During the last two decades, 20% percent or 3.6 million ha of global mangrove cover have been lost. Roughly 80% of the world’s marine fish stocks are fully exploited or overexploited.

These challenges are unknown to the public at large."

The theme will contribute to the Rio + 20 meeting. It will also complement global activities such as the World Ocean Summit to be held in Singapore in February 2012.

You CAN make a difference for Singapore's biodiversity!

EXPLORE our wild shores and see our marine biodiversity for yourself. Bring your friends and family. There are plenty of guided walks and other activities that highlight our wildlife and wild places.

Dive our wild reefs at Pulau Hantu with the Hantu Bloggers!

FREE family tours at Chek Jawa by the Naked Hermit Crabs.

EXPRESS share your thoughts, experiences and photos in a blog, facebook, flickr and other social networking sites. More about how to share your sightings!

Drawing shared by a visitor in the Naked Hermit Crabs guestbook

ACT volunteer for our wild places. Here's some current opportunities, with updates on the wildsingapore news blog.

TeamSeagrass at Pulau Semakau!

Lots of ways to make a difference for our wild places in 2012!

MORE biodiversity happenings for kids for the holidays!

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 08:09:00 +0000

Next Saturday, lots of fun activities for kids this school holidays! Join the Raffles Museum Toddycats and discover Singapore's natural heritage!

The exhibition will showcase animal specimens, skulls, skeletons and even a REAL DINOSAUR BONE. We will also have fun activities and exciting biodiversity talks lined up for the day

11am "The Secrets of Ubin's wildlife"
12noon "Adventures of the 'Red Jungle Fowl'"
2pm "The Return of the Wild Pig!"
3pm "Stalking the Civets of Siglap"
4pm "Singapore's River Otters"
5pm "The fruit-loving Common Palm Civet"

Date: 10 Dec (Sat)
Venue: Activity Room, Level 1, Geylang East Library
Website and contact: http://toddycats.wordpress.com/

10 Dec (Sat): Young Naturalists Passport Camp at Sungei Buloh
This one day camp encompasses a series of fun-filled and educational indoor and outdoor learning of the wetlands and nature conservation issues through worksheets, nature walks and hands-on activities. Children will earn a stamp for every completed activity, and a full collection of stamps will earn them a series of cloth badges.

Limited to 40 children between the age of 6-10 years old. Registration is required.

More information on the programme and online registration form on the Reserve website.

Time: 9am- 5pm
Cost: Each participant needs to purchase a young naturalist passport from the Visitor Services Counter at 50 cents. Registration of $5 is applicable, and cheques will be returned upon attendance and completion of the camp. The fee will be donated to the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve education fund if the child fails to turn up for the camp upon registration and confirmation. Admission charges (50 cents per child) apply.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: 67941401

10 Dec (Sat): HeART for Nature – Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Anniversary Celebration 2011
Come celebrate the 18th Anniversary of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve! Enjoy handicraft activities and an art exhibition by our very own nature volunteers! Come watch Mr Tham Pui San, our senior volunteer, use his Apple Ipad to sketch live! The activities include Face Painting, Hanna Painting, Origami, Bottle Painting and more! Join Us!

There will be an Art Exhibition for the whole month of December too.

Time: 9.30am-12.30pm
Entry charges: While the activities are free, admission fees to the Reserve apply: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

10 Dec (Sat): Public Bird Census Programme at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Sungei Buloh is conducting introductory bird census programme to showcase the birds of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and its bird monitoring programme. Join us to have a first-hand experience on bird watching and research work. There is a limit of 40 participants. Bring along a hat, binoculars and wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing. Join us for a fun time bird watching and learning about the migratory birds at SBWR!

Register with mendis_tan@nparks.gov.sg Registration closes 8 Dec 2011 at 6pm, contact Mendis Tan at 67941403.

Time: 9.30am-12.30pm
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Entry charges: While the event is free, admission fees to the Reserve apply: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

Biodiversity for kids during the December holidays!

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 02:51:00 +0000

Exciting nature activities for kids are lined up for the coming school holidays! Lots of fun ways to discover and enjoy Singapore's biodiversity!

Here's highlights of some of the many exciting nature events for kids during the December holidays.

FREE EVENTS

27 Nov (Sun): 1, 2, TREE! for kids Trees are an important part of our City in a Garden. Without the trees lining our roadsides and parks, our city would be a harsh landscape of concrete buildings. In this programme, participants, both children and parents, can learn to recognise key features of trees and be able to identify the common trees in Singapore. This will be followed by a game session where families and friends bond together by playing the ‘1, 2, Tree!’ card game and test their knowledge of plants in a fun way. For kids (primary school and above) and families.

Free marine colouring session for kids after special marine talks conducted by leading enthusiasts in Singapore: Jeffrey Low on 19 Nov (Sat) and Debby Ng on 26 Nov (Sat). Also view posters of marine life from 1 Nov-31 Dec, all at the National Geographic Store at VivoCity.

10 Dec (Sat): Free Chek Jawa boardwalk tour The Naked Hermit Crabs introduce you to Chek Jawa without getting your feet wet. Even though we are not going on to the shore, there is still much to see and enjoy. There are monitor lizards, fiddler crabs, spiders, rare plants, wild boars, mudskippers and lots of fruit trees. If we are lucky, we might even spot the Oriental Pied Hornbill, White-bellied Sea Eagle and the giant Atlas Moth. Pre-registration required.

10 Dec (Sat): HeART for Nature This free art workshop helps children to delve deep into their hearts to express nature in various themed art activities like drawing, fingerprinting, origami, puppet making. The children will also learn about our natural heritage. Pre-registration required.

MORE EVENTS

22 Nov (Tue): Kids visit the Raffles Museum with Cicada Tree Eco Place Join this guided tour of the museum, highlighting Singapore's incredibly rich biodiversity of fauna and flora, our tropical habitats, conservation issues and animals of Southeast Asia and more! With a special feature on Singapore’s bats. $15 per child (max. 20 children and max. 1 adult accompanying each kid, due to limited gallery space). Pre-registration required.

25 Nov (Fri): Chek Jawa Walk with Cicada Tree Eco Place We go on the extensive boardwalk at Chek Jawa on Pulau Ubin. Here we shall see a diversity of unique flora and fauna. At low tide, exposed seaweeds used to be collected by locals to feed their pigs. From the mangroves, Attap Palm leaves were harvested for thatching while durable Nibong Palm trunks were used to build kelongs. The shallow sea here was also a rich hunting ground. Many natural resources were depended upon, and used in sustainable ways by the kampong folk who lived at Chek Jawa. $15 per person (adult or child), excluding bumboat ride and mini-bus ride to Chek Jawa. The bumboat ride is $2.50 per person one way. The mini-bus ride is $4 return per person to and from the main village. Pre-registration required.

27 Nov (Sun): Greet our Forest Giants! Greet some lovely forest trees with Cicada Tree Eco Place! Find out about the animals and plants that live on and around them. Planted along the Southern Ridges, these forest trees form the Sembcorp Forest of Giants - an arboretum project undertaken by the National Parks Board as part of its efforts to enhance the biodiversity within urban areas. For kids aged 5-10 years. $10 per child. Pre-registration required.

4 Dec (Sun): Flights of Fantasy! Join Cicada Tree Eco Place for this bird-watching workshop along the Forest Walk, a chirpy experience at Telok Blangah Hill Park! Comprising lush green open spaces and forested areas, this park is home to numerous species of flora and fauna. Bring along your binoculars and you may spot some of the 43 species of birds that may be found there! $10 per child. Pre-registration required.

7 Dec (Wed): Kids visit the Raffles Museum with Cicada Tree Eco Place Join this guided tour of the museum, highlighting Singapore's incredibly rich biodiversity of fauna and flora, our tropical habitats, conservation issues and animals of Southeast Asia and more! With a special feature on Singapore’s bats. $15 per child (max. 20 children and max. 1 adult accompanying each kid, due to limited gallery space). Pre-registration required.

10 Dec (Sat): Strange Plants Workshop! Join Cicada Tree Eco Place to find out how some plants have really strange qualities! Plants like Pitcher Plants, Venue Fly-traps and Sundews eat up bugs, while other plants like Ant Plants and Ant Ferms provide food for bugs which protect them. Some plants have sweet leaves or shoots which may be eaten, while others are poisonous and should never be consumed. In this lesson, kids will learn about the Ant Plant and its symbiotic relationship with ants. Kids will also see examples of useful plants like the Rattan. The lesson will end with a walk in the garden where kids will get to hunt for all sorts of strange plants. For kids aged 5-10 years. $25 per child. Pre-registration is required.

11 Dec (Sun): Nature Society (Singapore) Kids’ Birding Fun at Lorong Halus this event is open to the public. The scenic Lorong Halus Wetland was opened in March 2011 to help purify run-offs from this old rubbish landfill. For years, Little Grebes and Common Moorhens have made their home at Halus. We might spot attractive grassland birds such as Yellow-bellied Prinias, Munias, Baya Weavers and Long-tailed Shrikes. For kids 4 to 12 years. $5 per child (NSS member) or $10 per child (non-member) will be collected on the spot. Parents / caregivers are encouraged to join in at no charge. Pre-registration required.

MORE events for kids and others during the school holidays from the wildsingapore happenings blog.

Go outdoors! You never know what you might encounter!

Wishing you many happy biodiversity encounters this December holidays!

Your otter sightings wanted!

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 12:09:00 +0000

Yes! We have wild otters! A brand new facebook page, OtterWatch has been set up to gather your otter sightings! This is part of Meryl Theng's project to study Singapore's otters.

Where have otters been sighted in Singapore?

Otters are regularly sighted at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve! I had magical moments watching these otters play right in front of me at the freshwater pond at the Visitor Centre!

Here's a great video clip shared by Andy of one eating a fish at Sungei Buloh!

otter makantime I @ SBWR 30Apr2011 from SgBeachBum on Vimeo.

I also saw one at Woodlands Park!

I spent quite a long time watching this beautiful animal at Pulau Semakau!

I've also seen otters at Chek Jawa, last month and yesterday. Also at Changi!

Ivan highlighted an otter sighting submitted to Stomp seen at Woodlands Waterfront Park yesterday. They have also been sighted at Kranji Nature Trail, Pasir Ris, Punggol, Pulau Ubin.

Sadly, one was found dead at West Coast Park in May.

Not sure if what you saw is an otter? Meryl has just posted on some tips on how to distinguish an otter from other large marine animals you might see on the shore.

Water monitor lizard (left) can look like an otter (right).

Otters are out there! Just keep an eye out for them and please contribute your otter sightings! And tell your friends about OtterWatch!

More about our otters and more posts about otter sightings.

Free events at Parks Festival celebrates our biodiversity!

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Lots of nature activities in celebration of the inaugural Parks Festival from 17 to 25 Sep 2011!

Here's highlights of some activities which feature our biodiversity! Most are free, and many are suitable for kids and families!

Specially for kids!

17 Sep (Sat): 'Giants of the Forest' Kids will learn about emergents (tall trees) in the forests of Singapore, and their importance as forest habitats for various animals such as eagles and hawks.

17 Sep (Sat): Kid's activities at Gardeners' Day Out at HortPark including tours, talks on butterflies and caterpillars, Common Garden Animals, and a walk In Search of Bugs and Slugs by Andrew Tay, Cicada Tree Eco Place.

25 Sep (Sun): Flights of Fantasy! Birdwatching for kids with Cicada Tree Eco Place. Kids! Join us for a chirpy experience at Telok Blangah Hill Park. Bring along your binoculars and you may spot some of the 43 species of birds that may be found here. $10 per child.

24 Sep (Sat): Greet our Forest Giants! with Cicada Tree Eco Place. Kids! Meet the forest trees that form the Sembcorp Forest of Giants - an arboretum project to enhance biodiversity within urban areas. Suitable for children 5-10 years. $10 per child.

Special FREE guided walks

These usually paid walk are offered for free

Free Chek Jawa Wetlands Boardwalk Tour with NParks on 18 Sep (Sun) and 25 Sep (Sun). Chek Jawa is an intertidal area containing one of Singapore's richest ecosystems. A unique wetland treasure, it is only revealed and accessible during low tides. Seize this rare opportunity to learn from experienced guides about the thriving flora and fauna in this area.

Free Guided walk at the Sensory Trail, Pulau Ubin on 17 Sep (Sat) and 20 Sep (Tue) and 22 Sep (Thu). An excellent introduction to the rustic and natural character of the island. You will be able to touch, see, smell or even taste fruit trees, spices and herbs for cooking, plants used in traditional medicine and native plants of the mangrove forest.

MORE special activities

Free Public walk at Butterfly Trail @ Orchard with Nature Society (Singapore) on 17 Sep (Sat) and 21 Sep (Wed) and 24 Sep (Sat). 50 species of butterflies have already been sighted on the trail. Let’s explore the trail to witness the sight of these creatures living in an urban environment and to discover even more.

17 Sep (Sat): Race Against Time – Science behind a Botanic Garden Tour. Come and explore the hub of the Gardens' research facilities at the Singapore Botanic Gardens to learn about botanical research. Find out about the urgency of plant exploration, collection and scientific documentation as species and habitats continue to be lost in the region. Visit the Orchid Micro-propagation and hybridisation display and find out how new hybrids are produced. You can also enter the restricted domain of the Herbarium and Library to learn about the valuable historical treasures they hold for science and posterity.

18 Sep (Sun): Fruit Tree Trail @ Sengkang Riverside Park. Get to know our fabulous array of fruit trees in Sengkang Riverside Park, from the Fish Killer Tree to the Mango Tree with our FREE guided walk! Plus, learn about the Constructed Wetlands and understand how they do their part in cleansing the water for the nearby Punggol Reservoir.

18 Sep (Sun): Eco-Explorers! at Tampines Eco Green Join us to explore the urban wetlands of Tampines Eco Green and experience the wealth of biodiversity that resides within. Pick up bird-spotting and identification skills, observe dragonflies and aquatic organisms and get close to decomposers at our hedges! The forests, marshes and ponds at this park will provide you and your family an unique natural experience on a Sunday morning. There will be guides present to bring registered participants around the learning stations in the park.

18 Sep (Sun): Free Fun walk along the Southern Ridges Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Southern Ridges, a soothing sanctuary of greenery that is steeped in history and home to some of nature's greatest gifts of flora and fauna. This free walk is conducted by volunteer guides from Sembcorp.

Also a chance to volunteer for our biodiversity!

20 Sep (Tue): Mangrove Salvaging at Sungei Buloh Help in the relocation of mangrove saplings by gently removing them using spades and placing them into planting bags. These young plants would then be put in Sungei Buloh’s nursery before they are replanted to appropriate areas. The three-hour activity includes a safety briefing, demonstration and also washing-up. Expect to get muddy!

20-23 Sep: Conserve our Forest! Help conserve our forests by participating in weeding programmes, invasive species removal programme and parks clean-up programme. Schools, corporate companies and organised groups are welcome to participate.

MORE activities at Parks Festival 2011 on the NParks website.

Meet the people working for biodiversity in Singapore!

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:03:00 +0000

20 speakers, 50 posters, all major ecosystems in Singapore! Only once every four years! A great event for those who want to learn more and do more for Singapore's biodiversity from those who are working on the issues!
Registration now open!

Singapore has amazing biodiversity in all major tropical ecosystems: rainforest, freshwater and marine. There's a great deal going on all the time, from research, management to outreach and education.

This one-day event showcases the tip of the spear, a glimpse of the enormous efforts ongoing, and a chance to meet the Real People who do Real Work for our biodiversity.

20 speakers will make 10-minute presentations each, in five sessions from 8am to 6pm. There will also be two special updates about the new natural history museum and the national biodiversity sustainability and action plan.

There will be two long and sumptuous tea sessions, giving everyone a chance to chat and view the expected 50 posters featuring the many interesting work going on for our biodiversity.

More about the Symposium and online registration on the BoSS blog.

Biodiversity for kids during the September holidays!

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Exciting nature activities for kids are lined up for the coming school holidays! Lots of fun ways to discover and enjoy Singapore's biodiversity!

Here's highlights of some of the many exciting nature events for kids during the September holidays.

3-11 Sep: National Orchid Garden - School holiday open house Free entry during the school holidays, for students (along with accompanying adults) visit the National Orchid Garden! There is no limit to the ratio of adult to children during this visit. So come on down and enjoy the National Orchid Garden.

3 Sep (Sat): Kidz: Celebrate Plants! The plant world is a wonderful one. It has so many varieties of unique plants in all shapes, colours, sizes and textures. They serve an important purpose of keeping balance in nature and make our City in a Garden an amazing place to live in. In this workshop, children will sharpen their observation skills and become aware of the vast diversity of plants all around us. They will also participate in a hands-on activity.For kids 5-12. Free. At Bukit Merah Public Library

3 Sep (Sat): The Birthday Day Party Sara is celebrating her baby brother's birthday party. At the last minute, she realizes she forgot the birthday present! Help Sara search for the perfect gift at the Children's Garden. Along the way, have a fun and memorable experience in this new Garden dedicated to children. For kids K1 – P2. Pre-registration is required. $8.50 per child and $6 per accompanying parent.

3 Sep (Sat): HeART for Nature - FREE workshop for kids at Lower Peirce Reservoir Park This FREE art workshop helps children to delve deep into their hearts to express nature in various themed art activities like drawing, fingerprinting, origami, puppet making. The children will also learn about our natural heritage. For kids 5-10 (with parental supervision). Pre-registration is required.

9 Sep (Fri): Let’s Discover Plants and Animals at the Botanic Gardens Apart from plants, we often come across many animals in the Gardens, such as, birds, frogs, squirrels, butterflies, dragonflies, ants, earthworms. Be amazed by the many different types of animals in Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden! Learn fascinating facts about wildlife in the Garden and pick up tips on respecting them in nature and our environment. You may even have the chance to get up-close-and-personal with an oriental whip snake and a monitor lizard too!! For kids K1 - P6. Pre-registration is required. $6 per child and $6 per accompanying adult.

10 Sep (Sat): Young Naturalists Passport Camp at Sungei BulohThis one day camp encompasses a series of fun-filled and educational indoor and outdoor learning of the wetlands and nature conservation issues through worksheets, nature walks and hands-on activities. Children will earn a stamp for every completed activity, and a full collection of stamps will earn them a series of cloth badges. For kids 6-10 years old. Pre-registration is required. Limited to 40 kids.

10 Sep (Sat): Mangrove Guided Tour at Pasir Ris Park "Creatures Up Close and Personal" What exactly is a mudskipper? And who is Fiddler crab or Sesamine crab? Does a dog-faced water snake look more like a dog or a snake? Join the team and discover answers to the questions above and more. And if we’re lucky, we may be able to see some of the seashore animals at the river mouth. For kids K1 - P6. Pre-registration is required. $4 per person

10 Sep (Sat): HeART for Nature - FREE workshop for kids at Dairy Farm Nature Park This FREE art workshop helps children to delve deep into their hearts to express nature in various themed art activities like drawing, fingerprinting, origami, puppet making. The children will also learn about our natural heritage. For kids 5-10 (with parental supervision). Pre-registration is required.

10 Sep (Sat): Guided walk at the Sensory Trail, Pulau Ubin Experience Ubin's wonderful nature through your senses along our Sensory Trail, the trail will brought you to the patch of herbs and spices and a "Secret Garden" to feel the original garden used to be on the island. Much more along the trail for you to explore. Pre-registration is required. $60 per group of 15 persons, maximum 6 groups

10 Sep (Sat): Public Bird Census Programme at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve This introductory bird census programme will showcase the birds of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and its bird monitoring programme. Join us to have a first-hand experience on bird watching and research work. There is a limit of 40 participants. Bring along a hat, binoculars and wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing. Join us for a fun time bird watching and learning about the migratory birds at SBWR! Pre-registration is required. While the event is free, admission fees to the Reserve apply.

11 Sep (Sun): Chek Jawa Walk with Cicada Tree Eco PlaceFrom the boardwalk at Chek Jawa on Pulau Ubin, we shall see a diversity of unique flora and fauna. At low tide, exposed seaweeds used to be collected by locals to feed their pigs. From the mangroves, Attap Palm leaves were harvested for thatching while durable Nibong Palm trunks were used to build kelongs. The shallow sea here was also a rich hunting ground. Many natural resources were depended upon, and used in sustainable ways by the kampong folk who lived at Chek Jawa. This activity will be on the boardwalk, walking on mudflats is not allowed. Pre-registration and pre-payment is required. $15 per person (adult or child), excluding bumboat ride and mini-bus ride to Chek Jawa.

29 Aug (Mon): Talk on "Understanding the dynamics of the pangolin trade"

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 23:11:00 +0000

Pangolins are found in Singapore! They are also found elsewhere in the region and sadly, the target of wildlife trade.

Pangolin photographed in Singapore by Norman Lim. From Wildlife Singapore.

Find out more about pangolins, and efforts to understand and control the trade in pangolins in the region.

More about pangolins in this earlier post.

About the talk
Pangolins have been hunted and consumed throughout Asia historically. In recent decades, however, there has been a shift from local utilisation to large scale commercial harvesting which is attributed to demand from East and Southeast Asian countries where pangolin meat is consumed and their scales used in traditional medicines. Despite national and international protection an illicit trade in Asian pangolins continues to persist and it is this that is threatening the very existence of the species. This talk comprises an introduction to the trade in Asian pangolins followed by a report of recent efforts to understand the dynamics of trade, in particular in Peninsular Malaysia, so that efforts to mitigate such activity can be informed and improved.

The funds raised by the pangolin gala dinner held on 18 April 2010 organised by Cicada Tree Eco-Place, Nature's Niche, Nature Society (Singapore), TRAFFIC and ACRES, and supported by National Parks Board, were used to fund research on an important study on the illegal trade in pangolins in the region. Here to give an update on the study to date, are Dan Challender and Nurul Bariyah Binti Babu.

Thanks to Singapore Botanic Gardens for kindly being the venue sponsor for this talk.

The speakers:

Daniel W. S. Challender, PhD Researcher, Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), University of Kent, UK
Daniel Challender started studying pangolins in 2007 as part of his MSc research with the Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Program, Vietnam. After spending two years working as an ecological consultant in the U.K, he returned to researching his favourite subject, the conservation of pangolins. He is currently a PhD researcher at the University of Kent’s Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) where he is studying the trade and conservation of pangolins in Asia.

Nurul Bariyah Binti Babu, Trainee Programme Officer, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia
Nurul Bariyah Binti Babu joined TRAFFIC Southeast Asia in early 2010 as a Trainee Programme Officer. She holds a Diploma in Landscape Architecture and a Bachelors degree in Park and Amenity Management. Since joining TRAFFIC Nurul has provided input into a variety of different projects but has most recently been involved in research exploring trade in timber and pangolins.

Time: 4-5pm
Venue: The Function Hall, Singapore Botanic Gardens
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

20 Aug (Sat): A Public Forum on Forests

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Learn about climate change and the ecological impacts on Singapore, and about conservation of our forests in this public forum.

Full pdf on Sivasothi's blog.

To celebrate the International Year of the Forest, 2011, the Singapore Institute of Biology (SIBiol) and Science Centre Singapore jointly present this public forum.
“Climate Changes and the Ecological Impacts on Singapore”
by Professor Richard Corlett(Dept of Biological Sciences, NUS)
Singapore’s National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) is projecting a warming of 2.7-4.2oC by 2100, with no clear trend in rainfall. Climatic uncertainties are compounded by our ignorance about the potential biological consequences of these changes in the equatorial tropics. In particular, we do not currently understand how rising temperatures will affect trees and forests which, recent evidence suggests, already operate near to a high temperature threshold above which carbon uptake declines sharply. Like the majority of the tropics, Singapore will soon be subject to climatic conditions that have not existed anywhere on Earth for millions of years. It’s a new world and all bets are off.

“Conservation of Forests in Singapore”
by Dr Shawn Lum(Natural Sciences and Science Education Group of the National Institute of Education)What we refer to as "Singapore's forests" is a diverse mix of different vegetation types. Despite their relatively small size and isolation, they support an impressive variety of plant - and animal - life. Where are these forest pockets, what can we find in them, and how are they faring? What measures have been taken to protect and preserve them, and what more can be done to conserve them? The talk will attempt to address these questions and more that might be raised at the session.The event is free but online pre-registration is required.

Date: 20 Aug (Sat)
Time: 9.30am – 12.30 pm
Venue: Maxwell Auditorium, Science Centre Singapore map

BeMUSE features the creatures that call Singapore home

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 09:17:00 +0000

The latest issue of BeMUSE Jul-Sep 11 features a story about Singapore's biodiversity!

In "We're not alone" Marcus Ng shares about the creatures that call Singapore home.

He says: "The tiger and tapir are long gone from local jungles, but more than 50 species of mammals still
share the island with man, having adapted to life in suburban niches or dwelling in the depths of the near-impenetrable forests."

Marcus shares more stories, accompanied by gorgeous photos, about the amazing creatures that live on land and in the seas around our tiny island!

Read the latest issue of BeMUSE (pdf) for more stories and photos.

BeMUSE is a quarterly magazine which features heritage as a lifestyle.

Thanks to alerts on this issue from Marcus Ng.

Have a Crabby National Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Ivan) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Singapore freshwater crab;
(Photo by David Maitland, from A Guide to Freshwater Life in Singapore)

It's National Day, and I thought that it would be appropriate to highlight some very special fellow Singaporeans.

Where it comes to food, chilli crab has got to be one of our favourite local dishes. And given that it was created here, it certainly is a serious contender for Singapore's national dish.

(Photo by ladyironchef)

The crabs that we most commonly consume in Singapore are the various species of mud crabs (Scylla spp.), with flower crabs (Portunus pelagicus) coming in a distant second. Both kinds of crab are regularly encountered on many of our shores, especially in shallow waters with muddy or sandy seabeds.

Mud crab, Pulau Pawai;

Flower crab, Pulau Sekudu;
(Photos by Ria Tan)

However, did you know that we have some very special crabs? They're way too small to be eaten, but that doesn't mean that they don't deserve attention from fellow Singaporeans.

Crabs Conquering Creeks

Crabs are quite unique among the crustaceans in being one of the few groups to have successfully invaded the land, with terrestrial species being found in many parts of the world. Even though many of these so-called land crabs still depend on damp environments to keep their gills moist, and need to return to the water in order to reproduce, their ability to survive for long periods of time on dry land has allowed them to stake a claim in a realm otherwise dominated by their cousins, the insects and arachnids.

Because some of these crabs have become so well-adapted to inland habitats, shunning the coasts in favour of forests, freshwater swamps and streams, over time, they have become unable to cross marine barriers. Place a freshwater crab in the sea, and it will die. Similarly, many land crabs have completely lost the ability to swim and breathe underwater, and will drown if submerged. As a result, fluctuations in sea levels have led to populations of freshwater and land crabs being cut off from each other, resulting in the evolution of new species due to reproductive isolation from their counterparts elsewhere.

Surprisingly enough, despite her small size, Singapore is home to six species of freshwater crabs, which are found mostly in streams and swamps in our central forests. Three of these species are endemic to Singapore, meaning that as far as we know, these crabs are found only in Singapore and nowhere else! How's that for something that's 'Uniquely Singapore'?

The Crab-Man

Professor Peter Ng examing specimens in the lab;
(Photo by habitatnews)

It is impossible to discuss the freshwater crabs of Singapore without mention of an important icon in Singapore's natural history and conservation scene, Professor Peter Ng. Our knowledge of our own freshwater crabs is in part due to the efforts of Professor Ng, who described four of the six species occurring here. Currently the director of both the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research and Tropical Marine Science Institute, he has helped to inspire generations of students and volunteers, many of whom have gone on to play an active role in research and conservation.

In these photos taken in the late 1980s to early 2000s, the much-younger Peter Ng is shown in the field, sampling in freshwater streams in Malaysia;
(Photos scanned in from Private Lives: An Exposé of Singapore's Freshwaters)

An internationally recognised scientific authority on freshwater crabs in Southeast Asia, Professor Ng has been a part of several field expeditions to many parts of the region, uncovering new species of freshwater crustaceans and fishes formerly unknown to science. In fact, in December last year, Professor Ng was recognised as the most prolific freshwater decapod taxonomist to date, having described 262 species of freshwater decapod crustaceans (crabs, prawns, shrimps, crayfish etc.). Today, he also fronts fundraising and outreach efforts for the upcoming Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum.

Freshwater Crabs of Singapore: A Who's Who

Singapore freshwater crab;
(Photo by Choy Heng Wah)

The Singapore freshwater crab (Johora singaporensis) was described by Peter Ng in 1986. Found in clean hill streams in Bukit Timah and surrounding areas, this species has become Critically Endangered in recent years, due to degradation of its habitat; it has actually vanished from Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, and is currently known only from two sites, one of which is a single stream near Bukit Gombak. This stream is affectionately known as Polunin Stream, since it flows past the home of the late Dr. Ivan Polunin, a naturalist who also captured many rare colour images of Singapore in the 1950s and 1960s.

Polunin Stream;
(Photo by N. Sivasothi)

Singapore freshwater crab;
(Photo by Choy Heng Wah)

Why did the Singapore freshwater crab disappear from Bukit Timah Nature Reserve? The forests are protected, and there is no development destroying the streams which this crab depends on. Acidification of the streams has been suggested to be a factor. As for one of the final refuges of this unique species, which straddles both private property and military land, development at the headwaters in the military area led to the flow downstream being cut off. A team of volunteers and researchers, together with the Polunins and the Ministry of Defence, stepped in to help salvage this population. For the time being, the Singapore freshwater crab still survives, but just barely.

Singapore freshwater crab in natural habitat;
(Photo by Daniel Ng, from ARKive)

Johnson's freshwater crab;
(Photo by Choy Heng Wah)

Another endemic, the Johnson's freshwater crab (Irmengardia johnsoni), is somewhat more widespread (although still listed as Vulnerable), being found in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and various parts of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. Here it inhabits slow flowing waters with dense leaf litter and mud in well-shaded swamps and forest streams. It too is a relatively recent discovery, being identified and named by Peter Ng and Yang Chang Man in 1985. This species is named after the late Professor Desmond S. Johnson, a prominent researcher on freshwater science and crustaceans at the then University of Singapore.

Johnson's freshwater crab;
(Photo by Kelvin Lim, from Private Lives: An Exposé of Singapore's Freshwaters)

Swamp forest crab;
(Photo by Kelvin Lim, from A classification of living and fossil genera of decapod crustaceans)

The third and final endemic, the swamp forest crab (Parathelphusa reticulata) is the most recent discovery, being described by Peter Ng in 1990. Previously, it had been confused with a more common relative, but the unique colour patterns and closer examination of specimens revealed that it was a different species, and one that was found only within a tiny five-hectare patch within the Nee Soon Swamp Forest. Here it lives in well-shaded swamps, where the water is tea-coloured and acidic, with a pH of 5.0 to 5.5. Naturally, due to its highly restricted range, it is listed as Critically Endangered.

Swamp forest crab;
(Photo by Peter Ng, from The Singapore Red Data Book: Threatened Plants and Animals of Singapore [2nd Edition])

The story of how Peter Ng came to realise that this crab was something special, and the challenges of finding more specimens to study, are recounted in this article about Singapore's natural history. Ever since the days of the Victorian explorers, Sir Stamford Raffles, and Alfred Russel Wallace, we are still continuing to make new and amazing discoveries about the other lifeforms found here in Singapore.

The other three species of freshwater crab are found not just in Singapore, but also elsewhere in Southeast Asia.

Lowland freshwater crab;
(Photo by Choy Heng Wah)

The lowland freshwater crab (Parathelphusa maculata) is the most common of our freshwater crabs. It lives in lowland streams, and is capable of surviving in muddy waters and stagnant pools. Hence, it can tolerate a degree of siltation, like that caused by logging and clearing of surrounding forests. Besides forest streams in the Central Nature Reserves of Singapore, it has also been recorded in Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra, with the species being named by Johannes Govertus de Man in 1879, based on specimens collected in Sumatra.

Lowland freshwater crab in natural habitat;
(Photo by Teo Siyang)

Peracca's land crab, Macritchie;
(Photo by Tan Heok Hui & Peter Ng)

Peracca's land crab (Geosesarma peraccae) is semiterrestrial, digging deep burrows in soft mud along the banks of slow streams and swamps. It is known from the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, the nearby Greenbank Park area, as well as the Nee Soon Swamp Forest and forests around Macritchie Reservoir in the Central Catchment Area. It is listed as a Vulnerable species in Singapore. Elsewhere, it has been recorded in Peninsular Malaysia, in Johor and southern Pahang, and was named in 1903 by Giuseppe Nobili in honour of Dr. Mario Giacinto Peracca, who had first obtained the type specimens from Singapore. This crab exhibits very interesting and unusual behaviour, entering the cups of the narrow-lidded pitcher plant (Nepenthes ampullaria), possibly in search of food, or to wet its gills during dry periods.

Peracca's land crab inside pitcher, Macritchie;
(Photo by Tan Heok Hui & Peter Ng)

Little land crab, Upper Peirce;
(Photo by Cai Yixiong)

The final freshwater crab in Singapore, the little land crab (Geosesarma nemesis), was also described by Peter Ng in 1986, based on specimens collected from Bukit Timah. Its name is derived from the name of the mythical Greek goddess of divine anger and retribution, Nemesis, alluding to the bright red colours and fierce disposition of adult crabs. Endangered in Singapore, where it is found not only in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, but also in one or two small streams in the Bukit Gombak area, it has also been recorded from Gunung Panti and Gunung Pulai in Johor. It is apparently a species that prefers highland areas, being replaced in areas of lower elevation by its relative, Peracca's land crab. However, in Singapore, it is possible to find both species together, possibly due to disturbance as a result of land development.

Little land crab;
(Photo by Choy Heng Wah)

Both of these land crab species are known to climb trees, which probably shouldn't be very surprising, since they belong to the Sesarmidae, the same family as the tree-climbing crabs (Episesarma spp.) commonly seen in mangroves.

Little land crab on leaf;
(Photo by Peter Ng, from The Singapore Red Data Book: Threatened Plants and Animals of Singapore [2nd Edition])

Leaving the Sea Behind

It goes without saying that the greatest diversity of crab species is found in the sea. Yet most marine crabs reproduce in the same way; after mating, the female broods her eggs beneath her abdomen. While they incubate, she looks as if she is carrying a mass of tiny berries.

This can be seen in this female floral egg crab (Atergatis floridus);
(Photo by James Koh)

When the young hatch, they do not look like crabs at all! Instead, this is known as the zoea stage, and the tiny larvae drift with the plankton, feeding on even tinier organisms.

Crab larva, zoea stage;
(Photo from Science Photo Library)

Subsequently, as they mature, they transform into the megalops or megalopa stage, and start to look somewhat more crab-like. These are still free-swimming in the plankton, but tend to remain close to the seabed.

Crab larva, megalops stage;
(Photo from Science Photo Library)

Eventually, the larva moults, and turns into a tiny juvenile crab, settling on the seabed.

Juvenile crabs;
(Photo by bebexvy)

Crab life cycle;
(Diagram from Smithsonian Environmental Research Center)

Although crabs are mostly marine, there are many species of crab that are able to inhabit freshwater, or have become fully terrestrial, often in habitats far from the coast. Still, many are unable to fully shake off their ancestral bond to the sea, producing young which still need to complete their development in a marine environment. Similarly, there are numerous species of crab in mangroves and river estuaries which are able to live in freshwater for some time, but ultimately still have to return to the sea to breed. As a result, they don't necessarily qualify as 'true' freshwater crabs.

For example, the paddler crab (Varuna yui) of Southeast Asia (including Singapore) is often found in freshwater far inland, but the larvae still need to develop in saltwater. You could argue that this counts as a seventh species of freshwater crab in Singapore, since it can live for an extended period of time in freshwater, but its life cycle is still tied to the sea.

Paddler crab seen in a pond at Punggol Park;
(Photo by Marcus Ng)

This is the case even for some crabs that spend nearly their entire lives on land. For example, the famous red crabs (Gecarcoidea natalis) of Christmas Island inhabit inland forests, but undertake masive annual migrations to the coast in order to breed.

What makes 'true' freshwater crabs stand out from the rest is that they are able to complete their entire life cycle in freshwater. In these crabs, the free-swimming larval stage has been lost. Instead, the females bear very large yolky eggs in comparison to those produced by marine crabs. These eggs are carried around and brooded beneath her abdomen, where they hatch into tiny fully-formed crabs. The juvenile crabs subsequently disperse, having skipped the most vulnerable larval stages and getting a headstart in life.

Singapore freshwater crab carrying eggs;
(Photo by Peter Ng, from Institute of Zoology)

Johnson's freshwater crab brooding young;
(Photo by Choy Heng Wah)

Geosesarma, on the other hand, produces free-swimming larvae, except that these do not drift with the plankton, but develop in the freshwater within their mother's burrow. They also require a much shorter span of time to mature, and do not need to feed, since they have ample yolk reserves to sustain them during their larval stages.

Little land crab with young;
(Photo by pentagon762000)

As a result, these crabs have become capable of breeding without having to return to the sea at all. In this manner, freshwater crabs have managed to colonise rivers, streams and lakes in many parts of the world. There are even crabs so specialised for living in complete darkness, in subterranean streams that flow through caves, that they have turned virtually white and lost their eyes.

Blind cave crab (Cerberusa caeca) in Mulu Caves, Sarawak;
(Photo by Alan Cressler)

But the most extreme case has to be the inland freshwater crab (Austrothelphusa transversa) of Australia, which has even adapted to live in desert areas! During the dry season, the crab remains dormant in its deep burrow, where the humidity remains high, and the crab is able to absorb water through condensation. Only when the rains arrive and flood low-lying areas do the crabs emerge, feeding and taking advantage of this brief period to reproduce.

Inland freshwater crab, Western Australia;
(Photo by Adrian Boyle)

Singapore's own freshwater crabs are not that extreme, living in shady forest streams and freshwater swamps. Shy and retiring by nature, they are largely nocturnal, and hide under rocks, leaf litter and other debris. They also seek refuge from predators by digging burrows along the banks.

Where it comes to feeding, freshwater crabs are omnivores. A lot of their diet is made up of fallen leaves, which they shred and macerate with their pincers and mouthparts, hence playing an important role in the recycling of nutrients. They will also scavenge on carrion and other decaying animal matter, as well as actively prey on worms and snails.

Can eat or not?

Given how much we love food, the inevitable question where it comes to discussing our freshwater crabs is whether they are edible. Crab lovers racing to fish for crabs at the nearby reservoir or monsoon drain are bound to be disappointed, for two main reasons.

The first is that all of our freshwater crab species are restricted to forest streams, and nearly all are vulnerable to extinction. The bulk of the surviving populations live in places that are currently protected, whether as nature reserves or military training areas. It goes without saying that poaching of these crabs for human consumption will definitely not be condoned, especially since we are talking about highly endangered crabs found only in Singapore, and nowhere else in the world.

The other point is that compared to the crabs we find at the market or seafood restaurants, these crabs are pathetically tiny.

Singapore freshwater crab;
(Photo by Teo Siyang)

Johnson's freshwater crab and Singapore freshwater crab both measure 2 to 3 centimetres across the carapace, while Peracca's land crab and little crab are even smaller, at 1 to 1.5 centimetres.

The largest of our freshwater crabs is the lowland freshwater crab, but even so, its size isn't very impressive at all, at just 4 to 5 centimetres. The swamp forest crab reaches a similar size.

(Top photo by Teo Siyang, other photos by pentagon762000)

I personally think that it's simply not worth the effort catching such small crabs for food. There isn't enough meat to justify going through all the trouble.

Still, freshwater crabs are regularly consumed in other countries.

The European freshwater crab (Potamon fluviatile) has been eaten since the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans;
(Photo by mauro_morando)

The Japanese freshwater crab (Geothelphusa dehaani), known to the Japanese as sawagani (さわがに), is often fried until crispy, then lightly salted. Small enough to be eaten whole, you simply pop the entire crab into your mouth like popcorn shrimp;
(Photo by Damon Bay)

Sawagani;
(Photo by yummyinthetummyblog)

One particular species of freshwater crab is highly popular as food in many parts of Asia. This is the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis), which is found in rivers, lakes, and estuaries in Korea and China. It gets its name from the dense covering of hairs on its pincers, making it appear as if its wearing a pair of fuzzy mittens.

Chinese mitten crab;
(Photo by Monika Štambergová)

Like its relative the paddler crab, the Chinese mitten crab spends most of its life in freshwater, but still depends on the sea for reproduction. Mature adults migrate downstream to estuaries where they mate, after which the females will travel further offshore, overwintering in deeper waters. In the spring, the females then return to brackish water to release their larvae. After going through the larval stages, the young crabs make their way back up rivers, even travelling overland to reach reservoirs and lakes.

Chinese mitten crabs fresh and ready for the kitchen;
(Photo by me, i am zoe)

This is the famed 'hairy crab' that features as a popular delicacy in Shanghai cuisine. Large quantities are harvested and sold live in the markets, with specimens hailing from Yangcheng Lake in Jiangsu Province being the most valuable. Autumn is often thought of as the best season to eat Chinese mitten crabs, as this is when the adults have built up substantial energy reserves for their migration downstream, and their gonads have become well-developed in preparation for breeding; during this time, the females are full of roe. They are most often steamed, served with vinegar, then slowly taken apart with bare hands. Demand for hairy crabs is so great that you can now even buy Chinese mitten crabs (chilled but still alive) at vending machines!

Chinese mitten crabs ready for consumption;
(Photo by Simon Dang)

There is one other reason why freshwater crabs are not necessarily an ideal food: great care must be taken to ensure that they are well-cooked. If the crabs are eaten raw or half-cooked, there is a high risk of the person becoming host to oriental lung flukes (Paragonimus westermani). These are parasitic worms that have a relatively straightforward life cycle. Larvae first grow and mature inside a freshwater snail, before moving on and continuing to grow inside freshwater crustaceans such as crabs or crayfish, turning into cysts that lay dormant until consumed. Once the crab is eaten by a mammalian predator (humans are included), the cysts develop into worms that burrow through the intestinal wall, diaphragm and the rest of the body until they reach the lungs, where they mature. Eggs are released into the environment when the host coughs up sputum, or they are swallowed and eventually passed out in the faeces, beginning the cycle anew. While infestations may cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever and cough, there are incidents where the worms make a wrong turn, and instead of ending up in the lungs, reach the brain or spinal cord, with paralysis as a possible consequence. The risk of infection has prompted authorities in some places to issue health advisories after people caught flukes due to inadequate precautions.

Life cycle of the oriental lung fluke;
(Diagram by Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria)

Freshwater Crabs as Pets

In recent years, various species of freshwater and land crab are becoming highly sought after, not for food, but as pets. Like their counterparts in the marine aquarium hobby, many aquarists with freshwater aquariums have a preference for invertebrates, including crustaceans such shrimps, crayfishes, and crabs. Many of these crabs possess bright colours, and a number also adapt well to captivity, as long as water quality is well taken care of, and adequate hiding places are provided. Finding the right sort of food is also usually not much of an issue as well, since these crabs will usually feed on anything. Special attention should be paid where it comes to providing the right conditions when the crab is moulting, a time when it is very vulnerable.

Lowland freshwater crab with moult;
(Photo by David Maitland, from The Freshwater Crabs of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore)

The main issue, however, is whether the trade relies almost entirely on wild-caught specimens, or if there is an active effort to get these crabs to reproduce in captivity. Like many other exotic pets, demand can far outstrip supply, and overcollection might decimate wild populations of some freshwater crab species. Considering that many species have a very small range, since they are often limited to a single drainage basin or water catchment, harvesting for the pet trade might put some of these crabs at risk of becoming extinct.

On the other hand, captive collections provide insurance against the event that some calamity befalls populations in the wild. Raising them in captivity also enable us to find out more about the biology of these crabs, and can provide an invaluable resource for us to learn possible strategies to save endangered species. You can find photo galleries of four of our native freshwater crabs in captivity on this German hobbyist website dedicated to crabs - the Singapore freshwater crab, lowland freshwater crab, Peracca's land crab, and little land crab. Some of these crabs appear to have been sent to aquarists with the experience and expertise in raising freshwater crabs in captivity, and by collaborating with researchers, these hobbyists play an active role in research on the behaviour, ecology and reproduction of these crabs, as well as in conservation, by boosting numbers through captive breeding.

Because some of these crabs still require saltwater for the young to develop, captive breeding is bound to occur only very rarely, and the odds of raising the larvae to maturity are slim. Those species which produce young capable of developing in freshwater are more likely to be bred successfully, and may hence help build up captive breeding stocks, so as to relieve pressure on wild populations.

For instance, one of the land crabs most commonly offered for sale, both here in Singapore and elsewhere, is the rainbow land crab (Cardisoma armatum). Hailing from mangroves and other coastal areas in west Africa, this crab spends a lot of time out of water, but needs to return to the ocean to breed. As a result, despite it being very common in captivity, stories of successful captive breeding are few, and most of the crabs seen are still wild-caught.

Rainbow land crab;
(Photo by Claudia Barzaeva)

Here is a selection of other freshwater and land crab species found in the pet trade:

The Halloween crab (Gecarcinus quadratus) originates from Central America;
(Photo by David Reed)

The bicolor vampire crab (Geosesarma bicolor) (Note: 'vampire' only in name - it doesn't drink blood!) is from western Java;
(Photo by Andreas Werth)

The panther crab (Parathelphusa pantherina) is found only in Lake Matano in Sulawesi;
(Photo by Jérôme Picard)

Threats

In Singapore, our freshwater crabs face a variety of threats, including pollution of their habitats, due to runoff from development projects in the area, or even spraying of oil or pesticides on water bodies to prevent mosquito breeding. There is also the risk of people encroaching on protected areas, trampling and destroying the banks of the streams where these crabs live. Poachers who enter our forests deliberately in search of native aquatic life for their aquariums (or even as feeders for predatory fish) are another threat; there are apparently incidents where people have casually come across freshwater crabs and then attempted to keep them as pets.

Lowland freshwater crab;
(Photo by Choy Heng Wah)

But the greatest danger to our freshwater crabs probably comes from habitat loss; many of our streams have been lined with concrete and turned into drains, while development of surrounding areas has either completely destroyed streams and swamp habitats, or caused them to be clogged up with silt. For instance, the status of the Singapore freshwater crab is precarious, and depends a lot on the water level and water quality in the two sites where it is still known to persist. Similarly, the continued survival of our other native freshwater crabs is dependent on continued protection of the forests they live in. Poor drainage planning, pollution, or deforestation can all very easily wipe out the habitats they are restricted to.

There is an intriguing single record of a land crab from the Paya Lebar area in the early 1900s; The hairy-footed land crab (Discoplax hirtipes) is commonly known as the Christmas Island blue crab (due to the bluish coloration seen in the population inhabiting Christmas Island), although the species actually has a wide distribution across the Indo-Pacific, including Madagascar and Mauritius, the Andaman Islands, southern Japan and Taiwan, Australia, and Fiji all the way to the Hawaiian Islands.

Hairy-footed land crab from Christmas Island, otherwise known as the Christmas Island blue crab;
(Photo by Robin Ngiam)

If the location data is correct, and the hairy-footed land crab did indeed inhabit Singapore, it is most likely to have become extinct sometime in the 20th century, as a result of extensive deforestation.

Hairy-footed land crab, Taiwan;
(Photo by Sin Syue Li)

On a global scale, freshwater crabs as a whole are threatened with extinction, with a 2009 assessment reporting that possibly up to two-thirds of all species may be at risk, with one out of six species being particularly vulnerable. The survey looked at the conservation status of 1,280 known species of freshwater crab, and determined that 227 species should be considered globally Near Threatened, Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered. For another 628 species, not enough data exists to adequately assess their population structure, which means that some of these might be highly endangered, just that there is a lack of studies and data to confirm that these crabs are under some risk of extinction. Optimistically, it means that 16% of all freshwater species are at risk, while the worst case scenario suggests the figure could be as high as 65%, or two-thirds of all species. Some species have not been seen for some time, and the original habitats where they were found have since been developed or destroyed. It's too early to officially declare them extinct, but there is always some hope that undiscovered populations linger somewhere. Habitat destruction is the main culprit here, with critical forest streams and swampland being logged and converted for agriculture and urban development. The paper also cited the Singapore freshwater crab and swamp forest crab as examples of two species on the brink of extinction, and extremely dependent on habitat protection for their continued survival.

Swamp forest crab;
(Photo by Peter Ng, from A Guide To Threatened Animals Of Singapore)

Another possible threat stems from introduced species. It is fair to say that many of our freshwater habitats are now home to a great number of non-native species, some of which may have deleterious effects on other species around them. In recent years, the Australian red-claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus), popular in the pet trade, has been recorded in several of Singapore's reservoirs and other water bodies. Ecologically, it is quite similar to our freshwater crabs, and while it has yet to invade the streams and swamp forests of our Central Nature Reserves, there is always the risk that should the crayfish establish itself in these habitats, it will end up outcompeting our crabs for resources such as food and burrowing sites, or even preying on them.

Red-clawed crayfish;
(Photo by planet_b)

Red-clawed crayfish caught at Upper Peirce Reservoir;
(Photo by Tan Heok Hui)

Red-clawed crayfish caught by recreational fishermen at Kranji Reservoir;
(Photo from Shane Ahyong and Darren Yeo)

Ironically, the Chinese mitten crab has been inadvertently introduced into waterways in Europe and North America, with fears that it will negatively compete with the native crayfish species found there. One solution that has been suggested is for people to start eating this invasive; after all, since it's so highly prized by the Chinese, we might as well learn to exploit them as a resource, in the hope that this will reduce their numbers.

Other non-native species which might pose a threat to our freshwater crabs include predators such as peacock bass (Cichla spp.), or American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus), which would most probably treat our native crabs as delightful crunchy little snacks.

Grey-bar peacock bass (Cichla monoculus);
(Photo by Pseudotropheus (Drew))

Butterfly peacock bass (Cichla orinocensis) caught at Bedok Reservoir;
(Photo by zingbean)

Two non-native species of turtle might also be possible predators of our freshwater crabs should they be released into our forest streams; these are the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) and Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis), seen here at the Singapore Botanic Gardens;
(Photo by Daniel Koh)

While these invasives are still found largely in the open habitats of our reservoirs and other urban waterways, it is always possible that they may eventually invade our forest streams, the last refuge for many native aquatic species. All it takes is for one irresponsible individual to release a few bullfrogs into a forest stream, and it could wipe out an entire population of freshwater crabs.

American bullfrogs released into a stream in the Central Catchment Area;
(Photos by Shirley Ng)

One final threat that looms over not just our freshwater crabs, but also casts uncertainty over the future of myriad other endangered plants, fungi, and animals in Singapore, stems from ignorance and apathy, and the erroneous assumption that Singapore does not harbour any natural heritage worth protecting. I find it a shame that not more people are aware of the fact that despite all the development and loss of habitats over the years, Singapore still harbours a rich array of biodiversity, including species unique to our country. Yes, it is a statement that is often repeated as part of outreach and education efforts, but it is sad that many people don't seem to understand or appreciate the significance of having three species of freshwater crab found only here in Singapore.

In 1992, these three endemics were featured as part of a series of stamps, alongside the mosaic crab (Lophozozymus pictor), an Endangered marine species.

Top left: Mosaic crab;
Top right: Johnson's freshwater crab;
Bottom left: Singapore freshwater crab;
Bottom right: Swamp forest crab;
(Image from SG Stampers)

First day cover for this stamp series;
(Image from Tan Hsiao Wei)

The plight of these unique crabs has also been mentioned on several occasions, particularly by their discoverer, Professor Peter Ng. Not just in his lectures and public talks, but also in the media and several books on Singapore's biodiversity. For example, recent publications featuring the freshwater crabs of Singapore include Private Lives: An Exposé of Singapore's Freshwaters, and The Singapore Red Data Book: Threatened Plants and Animals of Singapore [2nd Edition]. The famous Science Centre Guidebook series also mentions our freshwater crabs in two of its releases, A Guide To Freshwater Life In Singapore and A Guide To Threatened Animals Of Singapore.

A very useful reference book is The Freshwater Crabs of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, written by Professor Peter Ng himself. Published in 1988, it provides a comprehensive list of all the known species of freshwater crab in this part of the world.

Unfortunately, there is no entry for the swamp forest crab, but that was because at that time, it was suspected to be merely a variant of the lowland freshwater crab. It is a book that provides lots of relevant background information about our freshwater crabs, such as their identifying features and ecology, and I have turned to it on many occasions in the process of writing this post.

Several students have carried on Peter Ng's legacy, taking a closer look at the ecology and conservation of these crabs; several years ago, Daniel Ng did his Honours thesis on the Singapore freshwater crab, and over the course of his project, maintained Johora singaporensis, a blog with frequent updates about the crabs he was studying. Another student, Chua Yi Teng, carried out a study on the Johnson's freshwater crab. Through their efforts, we are uncovering more secrets about these often elusive crabs, and learning ways to protect their remaining habitats.

It is important to highlight that these three species are found only here in Singapore, and nowhere else in the world. Barring undiscovered populations in Johor, and those in captive collections, should some disaster wipe out say, that tiny patch of Nee Soon Swamp Forest where the swamp forest crab lives, that would truly be a catastrophic blow for the species. In most cases when a species becomes locally extinct, we can usually comfort ourselves by saying that it's not so dire, that there are still some populations left elsewhere in Malaysia or Indonesia. However, should the Singapore freshwater crab, Johnson's freshwater crab, or swamp forest crab disappear completely from our country, there is no such consolation.

Johnson's freshwater crab, Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research;
(Photo by Ivan Kwan)

It would be unthinkable if we allowed these species to disappear due to a lack of commitment towards protecting these icons of Singapore's natural heritage, leaving behind nothing but museum specimens to remind us of what we once had. Just like how Singaporeans were up in arms over an attempt to claim chilli crab as a Malaysian dish, perhaps it is time more of us kicked up a fuss, and played a part in preventing our very special crabs from becoming extinct.

Peracca's land crab;
(Photo by Tan Heok Hui, from Private Lives: An Exposé of Singapore's Freshwaters)

Not all of us can be freshwater ecologists or specialists on crab taxonomy, but at the very least, tell the people you know that this small island does have invaluable pockets of nature that are worth protecting, and share about the crabs found only here in Singapore. In the end, before we can talk about what we can do to ensure that we don't lose even more species, Singaporeans need to know what natural treasures we have in the first place. Allowing an endemic species to vanish off the face of the earth simply because more of us didn't didn't care enough would be a tragedy that Singapore could never be proud of.

Singapore freshwater crab, museum specimen;
(Photo by Peter Ng, from ARKive)

The fact that we have endemic freshwater crabs which have managed to weather the challenges and survive against all odds to the present day, actually mirrors the nation's struggles and development in some way. Perhaps, if these crustaceans could talk, they might borrow from #IamSingaporean, a very popular hashtag that has been making its rounds among local Twitter users in recent weeks, and declare how they are found only here and nowhere else on the planet. You can't get any more Singaporean than that.

Singapore's cool colugos: why they glide

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 13:31:00 +0000

Studying Singapore's colugos, researchers including our very own Norman Lim have discovered why these animals glide.

Although called flying lemurs, these creatures are not lemurs and they don't fly!

Colugos are actually not closely related to lemurs and are instead distantly related to us primates. Colugos glide and don't fly. Norman's earlier studies revealed, among others, that these awesome animals are quite common in our forests! But it requires a keen eye to spot them as they are well camouflaged and more active at night.

Colugos glide to save time, not energy
EurekAlert 28 Jul 11;

Gripping tightly to a tree trunk, at first sight a colugo might be mistaken for a lemur. However, when this animal leaps it launches into a graceful glide, spreading wide the enormous membrane that spans its legs and tail to cover distances of up to 150m.

So, when Greg Byrnes and his colleague Andrew Spence from the University of California, Berkeley, USA, were looking around for a mammal to carry the accelerometer/radio transmitter backpacks that the duo designed to track animals in the field, the colugo was an obvious choice. 'They are a large glider and it was an opportunity to learn about an animal that we didn't know much about,' says Byrnes.

Admitting that they were initially interested in the natural history of these charismatic creatures, Byrnes realised that they could use the information gathered to find out about the cost of the colugo's gliding lifestyle.

Flying to Singapore, Byrnes teamed up with Norman Lim to track the gliding mammals and the team discovered that instead of saving energy, colugos glide to save time. They publish this discovery in The Journal of Experimental Biology at http://jeb.biologists.org/content/214/16/2690.abstract.

Describing how some of the nocturnal colugos roost low in the forest, Byrnes was able to capture six of the mammals and glue the accelerometer packs to their backs before allowing them to scurry back up their trees for their first glide of the night. Explaining that the data loggers were able to collect data for 3 days, Byrnes and Lim tracked the animals until the data loggers eventually fell off and they were able to retrieve them several weeks later.

Back in Berkeley, Byrnes, Spence and Thomas Libby had the unenviable task of managing the colossal amount of data collected: 'We were sampling at 100Hz for days,' explains Byrnes. According to Byrnes, there is a distinctive acceleration profile when they glide. 'What you see is the leap and the landing when there is this sweeping acceleration, so it's easy to pick out their glides,' he says. Eventually, the trio converted each animal's acceleration traces into velocities – as they scaled trees and glided – and then they calculated the distances that the animals covered.

Analysing the glide trajectories, the team realised that the colugos only climb a relatively small height to achieve their lengthy shallow glides. 'The average was 8 m for an animal that is gliding 30m,' says Byrnes. But how much energy were they using to cover that distance?

Basing their calculations on the amount of energy used by small climbing primates – close relatives of the colugo – the trio calculated the energy used by a colugo ascending a tree to initiate a glide. Then they calculated the amount of energy that the animals would use if they had clambered through the canopy to cover the glide distance and were amazed to see that instead of saving energy, the colugos were using 1.5 times more energy. 'This was a surprise, as the dogma has always been that gliding is cheaper,' says Byrnes.

However, one thing was clear: gliding was faster. 'If you watch the animals move through the trees they move pretty slowly,' says Byrnes, 'But they can go 10 times as fast and cover long distances gliding so they can spend more time foraging,' he explains. Gliding could also protect colugos from dangerous predators and reduce the risks of climbing on spindly branches, so it could be more of a long-term benefit than simply saving energy.

Byrnes, G., Libby, T., Lim, N. T.-L. and Spence, A. J. (2011). Gliding saves time but not energy in Malayan colugos. J. Exp. Biol. 214, 2690-2696.

Here's a great slideshow from the BBC with photos and stories of how measuring instrument 'packs' were attached to our colugos, with a lovely view of our rainforests. Singapore's forests are awesome!

This story is also reported in Scientific American, Nature blog and ScienceDaily.

Sadly, these gentle creatures are sometimes cruelly hunted in our forests. There was an incident of a mother colugo that was seriously injured by a poacher with a slingshot. Her baby survived the mother's fall, but eventually died too despite best effort to care for it.

I first got to know Norman helping him with his colugo survey in Singapore's forests many years ago. From him I learnt to be quiet and how to spot colugos and many different kinds of forest animals. Here's my rather dated write up about Norman. Norman has since also started studying our wild pangolins. He also sighted the Malayan porcupine which has not been seen on Singapore mainland for 50 years!

Photo from Norman's page.

We need dedicated researchers such as Norman to learn and do more for Singapore fascinating biodiversity!

More links

Factsheet on our colugos on Nick Baker's Ecology-Asia website and Chan Kwok Wai's Wildlife Singapore website.
A review of Norman Lim's Colugo: The Flying Lemur of Southeast Asia on the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research website (pdf).
"Population assessment methods for the Sunda Colugo Galeopterus variegatus (Mammalia: Dermoptera) in tropical forests and their viability in Singapore." Norman T-L. Lim and Peter K. L. Ng. Pp. 157-164. [pdf, 237 KB]
Flying lemur and baby shot down at MacRitchie by Radha Basu Straits Times 22 Mar 05

My Green Space: hornbills, helicopters and more!

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 02:40:00 +0000

Lots of exciting developments and interesting stories in the latest issue of My Green Space Issue 10 Vol 3/2011.

In the lead story Hornbill Happenings: Surprises From Nature learn more about what is happening with our Oriental pied hornbills!

A most interesting development is this effort to gain a better big picture of our natural environment.

In Aiding Conservation With A Remote-Controlled Helicopter, Rachel Lim and Collin Tong of NParks’ National Biodiversity Centre and Singapore Polytechnic’s Centre of Application in Environmental Technology developed an ingenious method of obtaining a literally helicopter view of the ecosystem!

Using the remote-controlled helicopter, a low altitude aerial survey system was adapted from a similar system used in the military to carry out surveillance. To capture the aerial images, the helicopter is mounted with a consumer grade DSLR camera with a calibrated lens. The images captured are then stitched together to obtain an aerial map of the area. This data can be then used to provide high-resolution real-time updates of the area.

The remote-controlled helicopter system can be used to monitor large biologically important coastal habitats, and coastal and marine areas affected by shipping or coastal development. Singapore’s natural habitats, such as mangroves and mudflats, are generally narrow strips. In these habitats, this system has an advantage over satellite imaging: it can capture images from a height of about 50m, which are of a high enough resolution for us to use in making accurate measurements. Also, the images taken will not be affected by cloud cover or reflections by the sun.

Why are regular surveys important? When a particular area is experiencing impacts, such as sediment movement along coastal areas, sudden changes in weather patterns or effects of development activities, surveys help to identify the possible causes and monitor changes.The data collected also provides decision makers with information on the status of these areas, and guides their approach in issues relating to biodiversity and the environment.

There's also a great introduction to the new Flora and Fauna website!

The article gives tips on how to use Flora&FaunaWeb and highlights some of its features.

The latest issue of My Green Space also has stories about nature photographer and NParks volunteer Colleen Goh and an account of an exciting day sharing Singapore's spectacular shores with Pierre-Yves Cousteau. Read also about a study to see if going outdoors can counteract myopia in children. And more about the new Tampines Eco-Green.

Read more in the latest issue of My Green Space Issue 10 Vol 3/2011.

Singapore Biodiversity Encyclopedia is launched

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 23:35:00 +0000

The much anticipated Encyclopedia has been launched! Finally, a great reference for everyone interested in learning and doing more for Singapore's biodiversity.

What does this book reveal about our biodiversity?

What makes the Encyclopedia special is the series of essays that give a great introduction to important issues. These include an overview of Singapore's biodiversity, about taxonomy, physical geography of Singapore, descriptions of major ecosystems (terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, marine, urban), threats to Singapore's biodiversity, efforts to measure and monitor biodiversity, climate change and biodiversity in Singapore, about biodiversity research (historical and modern), public policy and strategy, NGOs and the nature community, culture and tradition, recreation and the natural environment, biodiversity education (formal and non-formal), nature photography, commercial biodiversity, legal protection for nature in Singapore and sustainable development.

The rest of the book is devoted to information on organisms in Singapore. The entries in this section are probably not intended to be read in sequence, although I found it interesting to do so. Readers would probably refer to specific entries as and when they need to. Organisms are listed by common names. But good cross referencing and a massive index should help us easily find what we need. Each entry gives brief mention of key and interesting facts.

According to media articles: The encyclopedia project was started by Prof Peter Ng, director of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, and Prof Leo Tan, director of special projects at the NUS Faculty of Science. It involved 65 contributors from academia, government agencies and environmental activist groups. From insects to flora and fauna, virtually every known living organism in Singapore is featured in the book. The 552-page encyclopedia took three years to complete, and charts almost 200 years of natural history study in the country. The encyclopedia was funded by $1.1 million of donations from firms such as Exxon Mobil Asia-Pacific and the Lee Foundation, as well as private entrepreneurs Sam Goi and Oei Hong Leong. The encyclopedia will serve as a resource material for scientists, policy makers and educationists.

The book retails at $69.50 and N. Sivasothi has kindly listed some other options for getting it at a lower price.

Related posts

The book has a companion website
About the launch on the Raffles Museum news blog
About the launch on Otterman speaks
Media articles about the book on wildsingapore news
A review on wild shores of singapore
A review on the Bird Ecology Study Group blog

23-24 Jul (Sat-Sun): More biodiversity talks this weekend

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:12:00 +0000

Learn more about Pulau Ubin's wildlife, find out more about our mangroves, and sea shores. Also about our dragonflies, gingers, trees and more.

These exciting talks are part of NPark's “Forests, People, Environment” Exhibition which runs until 24 Jul at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Don't miss them!

23 Jul (Sat): Talks at the Botanic Gardens

Dragonflies of Singapore's Parks and Gardens
by Robin Ngiam
11am-12noon
Library of Botany and Horticulture
(Level 1, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Secret Shores of Singapore
by Ria Tan
11am-12noon
Function Room
(Level 2, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Amazing Gingers in the Singapore Botanic Gardensby Jana Leong-Skornickova
2 - 3pm
Library of Botany and Horticulture
(Level 1, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Pulau Ubin - A Haven For Wildlife
by Robert Teo
2 - 3pm
Function Room
(Level 2, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

24 Jul (Sun): Talks at the Botanic Gardens

Amazing Gingers in the Singapore Botanic Gardensby Jana Leong-Skornickova
11am-12noon
Library of Botany and Horticulture
(Level 1, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Trees of the Istana
by Koh Soon Kiong
11am-12noon
Function Room
(Level 2, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Trees of Singaporeby Tee Swee Ping
2 - 3pm
Library of Botany and Horticulture
(Level 1, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Our Mangrove Forests
by Yang Shufen
2 - 3pm
Function Room
(Level 2, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

More details on the NParks website. Preview of the exhibition on wild shores of singapore.

Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/
Contact: Visitor Services, 64717361 or NPARKS_SBG_Visitor_Services@NPARKS.GOV.SG

Harry Potter and the Owls of Singapore

noreply@blogger.com (Ivan) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 13:33:00 +0000

Today marks a significant milestone in a much-loved book and film series; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, the concluding instalment of the movies, is being released in cinemas throughout Singapore today. Ever since the first of the books was released in 1997 (and the first movie in 2001), audiences everywhere have been captivated by the adventures of Harry Potter and his friends in Hogwarts, as well as his epic struggle against his nemesis, the Dark Lord Voldemort.

Given that the story revolves around a magical world where wizards and witches routinely create potions and cast spells on one another, a great deal of the so-called 'wildlife' are based on mythical creatures. Fantastic wildlife such as acromantulas, Hungarian horntails, hippogriffs, phoenixes, and basilisks are unfortunately not known to us muggles (people incapable of wielding magic). However, there are several species that are very much real creatures, the owls.

In the stories, owls are used to aid communication, delivering letters, parcels, and newspapers and magazines. The most notable owl of all is Harry Potter's familiar, Hedwig, depicted as a snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus), although several other owl species are featured.

You can find out more about the owls in Harry Potter in this post over at my blog. All but one of the owl species featured in the Harry Potter movies are not found in Singapore, but they do have relatives that swoop through our forests and even in our parks and gardens at night. Ten species of owl have been recorded in Singapore, with a variety of sizes and preferred habitats. Some are considered common resident breeders, while others are occasional winter visitors and passage migrants.

Residents

Some of our owls are often found living in urban areas close to people.

Barn Owl (Tyto alba);
(Photo by chrisli023)

The barn owl is a widespread species that is found on every continent except Antarctica, and is the only local species of owl that is mentioned in the Harry Potter stories. It earns its name due to the fact that it is often found nesting in buildings, occupying barn lofts and attics in houses. An account of the nesting habits of the barn owl can be found here.

A bird of open areas and grasslands, this owl is considered to be an excellent form of rodent control. In Malaysia, barn owls are encouraged to breed in nest boxes placed in oil palm plantations and rice fields, so as to reduce crop losses from rats, which can become very abundant in agricultural areas. In fact, barn owls were uncommon in Singapore until the 1960s and 1970s, when the population exploded in Peninsular Malaysia as a result of the spread of oil palm plantations. No doubt, many owls dispersed from these plantations in search of new hunting grounds, and some must have made their way to Singapore.

Recently, there have been a number of incidents in which barn owls accidentally enter underground MRT stations, requiring people to remove them. For example, an owl was seen at Toa Payoh in February this year.

Barn owl at Toa Payoh MRT Station;
(Photos from STOMP)

In March, the Animal Concerns Research & Education Society (ACRES) Wildlife Rescue team rescued a barn owl that had flown into Stadium MRT Station. Similarly, it had to move an barn owl that had become trapped inside Punggol LRT Station, and guide it to the exit.

Barn owl at Stadium MRT Station;
(Photo from ACRES Facebook page)

Barn owl at Punggol LRT Station;
(Photo from ACRES Facebook page)

Despite being common in many places throughout the world, barn owls do face a variety of threats. For example, it has been claimed that barn owls used to be more abundant on Sentosa, but many died as a result of eating rats that had consumed poison.

Because they favour open areas, and often fly close to the ground, barn owls are at great risk of being struck by vehicles. One such possible victim of a collision with a vehicle was found in the Marina Bay Golf Course, and did not survive.

Elsewhere, barn owls have been found electrocuted by live wires, while here in Singapore, another threat comes from discarded fishing lines that are sometimes irresponsibly left behind in trees. Birds (including barn owls) are inadvertently entangled and often end up strangling or seriously injuring themselves as they struggle to break free. One such incident occurred at Punggol Beach in August 2009. Distressingly enough, the people who witnessed it did not know who to contact, and watched the owl die.

Dead barn owl, Punggol;
(Photo from STOMP)

Another barn owl that faced the same fate was rescued in Sembawang in December last year. Christened (appropriately enough for this post) Hedwig, it was kept under observation by ACRES for some time and eventually released.

Collared Scops Owl (Otus lempiji);
(Photo by Francis Yap)

Another species of owl commonly found in Singapore is the Sunda scops owl. This is one of the smallest of our owls, growing less than 25 centimetres in length, and is apparently the most common of our owls, with sightings even taking place in housing estates like Toa Payoh.

The taxonomy of this species can be quite confusing. Previously, it had been thought to be a subspecies of the collared scops owl (Otus bakkamoena), a wide-ranging species supposedly found throughout India and Southeast Asia. However, in recent decades, many subspecies were split off as distinct species in their own right. The name Otus bakkamoena is now used to refer to the Indian scops owl, a species restricted to the Indian subcontinent, while a species found in India, East Asia, and Indochina now bears the name of collared scops owl (Otus lettia). Those scops owl populations found in southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, and the Greater Sunda Islands of Indonesia have been given the label of Sunda scops owl. This is why in many local publications, you will still find the Sunda scops owl listed as the collared scops owl, and bearing the scientific name of the Indian scops owl.

Regardless of its name, the Sunda scops owl is another species that readily adapts to humans, being found in secondary forests and woodland, parks, gardens, and plantations, but avoids primary forest. Given its dimunitive size, this owl preys heavily on large insects such as grasshoppers and crickets, mantids, moths and beetles. Small birds such as munias and nestlings have been recorded as prey, as well as rodents. Geckos are another major component of the Sunda scops owl's diet.

Sunda scops owl with gecko prey, Hillview Avenue;
(Photo by Lee Tiah Kee)

Breeding has been reported here, and the Bird Ecology Study Group blog has an account of a fledgling being fed by one of its parents, as well as a failed nesting in Mount Faber. While Sunda scops owls nest in cavities and tree holes, one notable record consists of a pair that nested on a ledge in the porch of a house in Alexandra.

Juvenile Sunda scops owls, Jurong Lake;
(Photo by NatureInYourBackyard)

Brown Hawk-owl (Ninox scutulata);
(Photo by chrisli023)

A third common owl species in Singapore is the brown hawk-owl, also sometimes known as the brown boobook. This species and its relatives are somewhat more hawk-like in appearance compared to other owls, lacking a facial disc and possessing a long tail, features that give it a shape more reminiscent of hawks, hence the name.

This species is both a resident and winter visitor; most sightings take place in forested areas in the centre of mainland Singapore, with a few scattered records in other parts.

Brown hawk owl, Venus Drive;
(Photo by luenny)

These outliers from places such as Pulau Ubin and Sentosa are suspected to either represent stray individuals that wandered out of the forests, or could also belong to the northern subspecies, which breeds in China, Korea, Russia and Japan. Birds from these northern populations migrate during the winter months, with some of them reaching Singapore and adding to the numbers of the local resident population. However, in another example of how owl taxonomy can be quite a messy affair, the northern subspecies has been split off as a separate species, the northern boobook (Ninox japonica). This has not been universally accepted, but it means that Singapore may turn out to have an additional species of owl, albeit one that is an occasional winter visitor.

Northern boobook, Japan;
(Photo by jcowboy)

Two species of owl are much larger, and are restricted to forested habitats. Another thing they share in common is the fact that both were once very rare and even thought to be on the brink of extinction in Singapore.

Spotted Wood Owl (Strix seloputo);
(Photo by kampang)

The spotted wood owl is one of the largest owl species found in Singapore. Once thought to be down to just six to ten birds in the 1990s, numbers appear to have risen somewhat, and this species, while still uncommon, is being seen in many locations around Singapore, including the islands of St. John's Island, Sentosa, and Pulau Ubin.

There are many reports (with excellent photos) of spotted wood owls, documenting behaviour such as preening, stretching, and sunbathing, as well as encounters that were the result of the owl being spotted and mobbed by other birds, hence attracting the attention of people.

It might be a good sign that some recent sightings of spotted wood owls in urban parks are of juveniles, accompanied by their parents.

Spotted wood owl juvenile with adult, Japanese Garden;
(Photo by hiker1974)

A new favourite location for bird photographers wanting to capture images of this species is at Pasir Ris Park. Even though the spotted wood owl is found mostly in forests, it has also been seen at urban locations such as Suntec City and Chinatown. The fact that it is frequently seen in oil palm plantations in Peninsular Malaysia (though not in such numbers like the barn owl) hints that the spotted wood owl might be more ecologically flexible than we expect.

Buffy Fish Owl (Bubo ketupu);
(Photo by myrontay)

The largest local species of owl is the buffy fish owl; with a body length of 50 centimetres, it is fully twice the length of the Sunda scops owl. As its name suggests, this is a specialist on fish, and is usually found close to water or in coastal areas such as mangroves.

Several interesting features related to its piscivorous diet make this species stand out from other owls. Unlike many other owl species, the buffy fish owl does not have fully feathered legs; feathers on the legs would get drenched and waterlogged due to frequent plunging into water, so these have been lost by fish owls. Sharp spicules on the underside of its toes enables the owl to grab on to slippery fish. And finally, while silent flight is a hallmark of owls' mastery of nocturnal hunting, the buffy fish owl and its relatives have actually lost the soft fringes that are found along the rear edge of the wing feathers in other owl species, which enables owls to fly without making a single sound. Since fishes don't pick up airborne sounds very well, there is little need for the buffy fish owl to conceal the sound of its approach as it swoops in for the kill.

Besides fish, buffy fish owls will also take other aquatic organisms such as frogs and crustaceans, while small birds and mammals have also been recorded as part of their diet. Interestingly enough, fish owls often descend to the ground and wait along the water's edge, or even wade into the shallows, waiting for prey to swim within striking range.

Buffy fish owl in shallows, Lower Peirce;
(Photo by SC Lim2010)

Once thought to be reduced to just four birds during the 1990s, the buffy fish owl remains rare locally, although it is seen more often these days. It is not known whether the increase in frequency of sightings is just the result of more birdwatchers and photographers searching for a tiny number of birds, or whether it reflects a genuine increase in population. In Singapore, buffy fish owls are most often found in forests around the reservoirs of the Central Catchment Area, and have also been spotted in the Western Catchment Area, including Sungei Buloh. Sightings from the Singapore Botanic Gardens may represent stragglers from the Central Catchment Area. Pulau Ubin is another stronghold for this species, while an individual was seen on Sentosa in 2006 and 2007, close to the cable car station; however, it has since vanished, possibly due to disturbance as a result of development works for Resorts World Sentosa. The Green Corridor proposal also mentions buffy fish owl as being recorded in the secondary forests of Clementi Woodlands. In Malaysia, buffy fish owls have also been found in plantations and flooded rice fields.

A juvenile at Lower Peirce that was the subject of much attention from bird enthusiasts almost became the victim of human irresponsibility when it got its feet entangled in some discarded fishing line.

Winter visitors & Passage Migrants

These owls I have talked about so far are all residents, breeding and living in Singapore all year round. Owls are not usually thought of as migratory birds, but some species do undertake long journeys during the winter months. Individuals of these migratory species have been seen here from time to time, and the occasional sightings are often considered very special and remarkable.

Oriental Scops Owl (Otus sunia);
(Photo by Sin Yee)

The Oriental scops owl is slightly smaller than the Sunda scops owl, and it is remarkable to think that this small bird actually migrates during winter. There are quite a few reports from Singapore, with most of them coming from forests and wooded areas in mainland Singapore. The first record came from Fort Canning Park in 1916, with more recent sightings in places such as Sime Road, Mount Faber, Sungei Buloh, Changi, Kent Ridge, and Macritchie Reservoir. The Bird Ecology Study Group has a full list of records, as well as some comments from local naturalist R. Subaraj, who helped rescue and release one of these owls that had crashed into a house near Upper Changi Road.

Some observations are even made in urban areas. For example, an Oriental scops owl was seen in Sembawang (another writeup of this sighting has been published here), while my friend Sin Yee saw another individual outside her home in Simei last November. She tweeted about it and snapped a photo, and I suggested over Twitter that it might be an Oriental scops owl.

(Click to enlarge)

Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus), Taiwan;
(Photo by Arthur (E83))

The short-eared owl is even more rarely seen. This is a truly cosmopolitan species, occurring on all continents except Antarctica and Australia. There are even populations on oceanic islands such as the Galapagos and Hawaiian Islands!

This is a bird of open grasslands, and is often seen flying during the day. Northern populations are migratory, and there are a few sightings from Singapore during the winter months, mostly from reclaimed land, grassland and open beach scrub areas. For example, among the recent records, a pair was seen at Changi South in 1988, one was seen at Marina East in 1990, and up to three birds were spotted in open scrub and grassland at Changi Beach in 2006.

Extinct? Returning? Visitors from Malaysia?

Besides these species, there are two more species which were previously recorded in Singapore, but are thought to be locally extinct, probably due to the extensive deforestation that we have experienced. However, recent sightings suggest that either they never really completely vanished from Singapore, or might be in the process of recolonising former haunts. It remains to be seen whether these sightings are of stray individuals, or are a hint of an eventual re-establishment of breeding populations.

Oriental Bay Owl (Phodilus badius);
(Photo by hiker1974)

The Oriental bay owl is a relative of the barn owl, but one that is restricted to forested habitats throughout much of Southeast Asia. Apart from a specimen that was collected in 1950 but is now lost, the only other records of this species are of unconfirmed calls from Bukit Timah in 1980 and 1996. With regrowth of forests in many parts of Singapore, it is always possible that dispersal and vagrants from Peninsular Malaysia will lead to recolonisation.

Barred Eagle Owl (Bubo sumatranus);
(Photo by paulwu2009)

Similarly, the barred eagle owl was considered to be rare, and presumed to be either extinct or at most an occasional visitor from Peninsular Malaysia. Recent records include an individual seen at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve in 1996 and 1997, as well as sightings (possibly the same bird) from the forest of the Central Catchment area in 1998, 2001 and 2008. In January 2009, there was a confirmed sighting from Pulau Ubin by Marcus Chua, the first from an offshore island. This sighting also provided us with the first local photo of this species.

Barred eagle owl, Pulau Ubin;
(Photo by Marcus Chua)

The barred eagle owl is a large species about the size of the spotted wood owl, and is known to take large prey, even including monkeys.

Barred eagle owl with young long-tailed macaque, Panti Forest;
(Photo by Rane Wong)

In an interesting twist, I learnt about one more species of owl recorded in Singapore while doing research for this post.

Brown Wood Owl (Strix leptogrammica);
(Photo by C&W Nilnond)

The brown wood owl was formerly thought to be completely absent from Singapore. However, almost by accident, I stumbled upon this set of presentation slides from the National Parks Board, which mentioned the discovery that brown wood owls had been found breeding in Pulau Ubin by Justin Tan and Robert Teo just last December! I also managed to find this small set of photographs, which included three photos of brown wood owls labeled as being found in Pulau Ubin.

It certainly is very exciting to learn about such discoveries, proving that there is so much more to learn about Singapore's biodiversity. The brown wood owl was never recorded from Singapore in the past; we may never know whether this newest report of breeding on Ubin marks the return of a formerly locally extinct species, or signifies that these birds are colonising a new place. But it definitely goes to show that even our small and somewhat degraded patches of forests still contain many surprises.

Juvenile brown wood owl, Pulau Ubin;
(Photo from Tan Wee Lee's presentation)

Threats to owls

Here in Singapore, the biggest threats would appear to be loss of habitat, especially for those owl species more heavily dependent on forested areas. Poaching might also take its toll, even if owls are not intended targets; as seen in some local examples, discarded fishing lines might ensnare unwary owls, and these birds may fall prey to similar traps meant for other wildlife. Trespassers may also inadvertently disturb owls and cause them to abandon formerly secure areas used to rest and raise their young.

Because owls are often seen as charismatic predatory birds, they are the focus of attention from many photographers. Hence there is always the risk of unethical behaviour cropping up, including clearing of vegetation or harassing the owl in order to capture the perfect shot. Other practices which are meant to lure the owl within range, which might include playback of calls and baiting with mice, could be harmful if overdone. Blasting the owl with bright flashes of light are also likely to cause it great stress or even physical damage to its eyes.

Elsewhere in Asia, owls are at risk of being deliberately caught for various reasons. Perhaps the most distressing report comes from Malaysia, where a raid in November 2008 revealed that hundreds of owls had been caught, plucked and wrapped in plastic, almost certainly meant for human consumption overseas. The haul included 796 barn owls, 95 spotted wood owls, 14 buffy fish owls, 8 barred eagle owls and 4 brown wood owls. It was certainly a big surprise, even to experts familiar with the horrific scale of the wildlife trade in Asia, since it was the first time there was any evidence of such great demand for owl meat.

Owls plucked and ready for the cooking pot;
(Photo by Chris R Shepherd/TRAFFIC)

There is also a fair bit of live trade in owls; owls in neighbouring countries are caught to be sold as pets.

Juvenile scops owl (Otus sp.), Pasar Burung Satria (Bali Bird Market);
(Photo by piedbutcher)

Adult scops owl (Otus sp.), Pasar Ngasem (Yogyakarta Bird Market);
(Photo by PIXistenz)

After the first of the Harry Potter films was released, there were fears that there would an increased demand for pet owls, especially snowy owls in particular.

Virtually all owl species are completely unsuitable as house pets, since they tend to be nocturnal, require large quantities of meat or other animal-based food, and can be powerful and dangerous to those not trained in handling birds of prey. Although Hedwig and other owls in the Harry Potter movies spend a fair bit of screen time in small cages, owls in real life require lots of space, and their upkeep in terms of providing adequate food, housing, veterinary care and so on can be prohibitively expensive. Definitely not the ideal pet for most people.

Last November, a report about the plight of India's owls was released. Entitled Imperilled Custodians of the Night, it covers the widespread trapping, trade, and use of owls in India, despite all hunting and trade in owls being illegal under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 of India.

Much of this trade is driven by superstition, totems and taboos; a large number of owls are captured for black magic rituals involving owl body parts and organs, or the sacrifice of live owls. Even wealthy businessmen and politicians may turn to such rituals in order to ensure success. Owls may also be used in street performances, where they are trained to drop 'charmed' amulets into the hands of people, who then buy these amulets to ward off evil. Interestingly enough, owls are also involved in the capture of other birds. By using a captive owl as a decoy, songbirds naturally begin to mob the predator, only to get trapped by twigs covered in glue that have been scattered around the owl.

A list of owl body parts used in traditional occult rituals in India;
(Click to enlarge)

Other threats facing owls in various parts of India include the capture of owls for pets and zoological collections, killing for taxidermy and meat, use in folk medicines, and for their talons and feathers, which may be used in headgear. While the study did not explicitly point fingers at Harry Potter for driving trade in owls, the principal author, Abrar Ahmed, was inspired to undertake this study after an incident involving Harry Potter and owls. As he says in the preface:

In India today, theme parties are becoming more and more fashionable. At the beginning of 2008, I received a call from a wealthy friend's wife requesting a favour. To my surprise, she asked for a live white-coloured owl to be present at her son's tenth birthday party. Knowing my association with birds, she was quite confident that I would heed to her request. Perplexed, I asked if I was to provide the owl as a gift or whether it was required for some black magic ritual on her son's birthday. She quickly clarified: "No, the party theme is 'Harry Potter' and we want to have 'Hedwig' – Harry's pet owl. Please ask someone to capture and bring the owl to us. We can pay the cost.

To many people in India, stories about magical wizards and the owls they possess would thus fit in well with their pre-existing beliefs of owls having mystical and supernatural powers.

When this report was released, Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh was quoted as mentioning the role of Harry Potter in contributing to the decline of owls in India. This was the angle that was picked up by the global media, although the author of the stories, JK Rowling herself, has gone on record stating:

There has been a spate of stories in the press recently concerning the upswing in popularity of keeping owls as pets, allegedly as a result of the Harry Potter books. If it is true that anybody has been influenced by my books to think that an owl would be happiest shut in a small cage and kept in a house, I would like to take this opportunity to say as forcefully as I can: please don't.

Here in Singapore, our owls do not face such persecution, although there is always the possibility that some poaching occurs. Habitat loss and harassment by people may be far greater threats, and of course, it is important to emphasise the important role of owls as predators. At least here there's no risk of owls getting struck by the Killing Curse, like poor Hedwig in the final book of the series.

More articles about our owls in general can be found in this article in Nature Watch, as well as this post by the Bird Ecology Study Group. An overview of owl biology can also be found in this excellent post by Darren Naish.

Biodiversity in Singapore: NParks photo and video competitions

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 08:14:00 +0000

Share your favourite nature photo in NParks' “City in a Garden” Photography Competition!

Attractive prizes, worth more than $29,000, to be won. Winning entries may be exhibited at various venues and at selected NParks events. At the same time, there is also a video competition focusing on our parks.

“City in a Garden” Photography Competition: various closing dates
Despite being a largely urbanised city, Singapore is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, with more than 3900 species of plants, 295 species of butterflies, 98 species of reptiles, 52 species of mammals, 25 species of amphibians and 12 out of the 23 species of seagrasses found in the Indo-Pacific region. This is part of Singapore’s vision of becoming a “City in a Garden”, where greenery and biodiversity exists in harmony with our daily lives.

Themes and closing dates
Our Parks and Gardens: 15 August 2011
Trees and Forests: 26 September 2011
BiodiverCity: 5 March 2012
My City in a Garden: 7 April 2012

More about the themes (pdf).

The prizes

Overall Best amongst the four themes: $3 000 cash and a fully paid exploration expedition with a renowned ethno-botanist to a village in Burkina Faso, West Africa, worth $20 000 sponsored by Clarins
Winners of each theme stand to win the following prizes:
1st Prize: $2 000 cash
A Lumix camera sponsored by Panasonic
2nd Prize: $1 500 cash
3rd Prize: $1 000 cash
8 Merit Prizes: $ 250 cash each
Each merit award winner under the “My City in a Garden” theme, in addition to the $250 cash, receives a Vanda Orchid Travel Kit sponsored by Grand Hyatt Singapore
Junior Category presented by Clarins: Cash prizes worth $5 000
Youth Category: Cash prizes worth $5 000 supported by CDL SYPA – Singapore Young Nature Photographer Award

More details on the NParks website.

The Parks Festival 2011 Video Competition: closing date 31 Jul 2011
Celebrate our green spaces by producing a video with the theme ‘A Park for Everyone’, and stand to win attractive prizes! Winning entries will also get their videos showcased during the inaugural Parks Festival.

Videos should be within 100 sec, and should showcase activities and the diversity of people’s experiences in at least 3 different parks from 3 different ‘clusters’. (A list of the parks in each cluster may be found at www.nparks.gov.sg). The video should focus on people’s experiences (rather than natural habitats, animals, landscapes etc), and convey the Festival’s objectives of (in no order of importance):

‘Parks — the Preferred Place to Play’
'A Park for Everyone'

Psst: humour usually scores more brownie points, so be as creative as you can be!

1st Prize: Panasonic Videocam SD900 x 1 unit (worth $1,999)

2nd Prize: Panasonic Videocam HS80 x 1 unit (worth $1,449)

3rd Prize: Panasonic Videocam SD80 x 1 unit (worth $999)

More details on the NParks website.

15-17 Jul (Fri-Sun): More biodiversity talks this weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 09:35:00 +0000

From our wild dolphins to wildlife in our nature reserves, seagrass meadows to heritage trees, birds to orchids. Also a chance to catch the repeat of talks on Singapore's marine biodiversity, Leaf monkeys and more.

The bulk of these exciting talks are part of NPark's “Forests, People, Environment” Exhibition which runs until 24 Jul at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. But some of these talks are held separately. Don't miss them!

15 Jul (Fri): Talk on "Singapore's Wild Marine Mammals"
Join Cyrena Lim to learn how you can help the National University of Singapore (NUS) researchers discover more about Singapore's wild marine mammals. Pilot studies by the Tropical Marine Science Institute (TMSI) in NUS have confirmed that several species of coastal dolphins can be found in Singapore waters, even the rare Finless Porpoise and Dugong. TMSI has launched the Singapore Wild Marine Mammal Survey (SWiMMS), a research project where it wants to establish a volunteer network and sighting reporting system, as well as carry out field studies. Reliable observations from South-east Asia are also welcome, and will help TMSI study whether Singapore contributes to seasonal trans-national migration routes.

This talk is free and is open to the public.

Time: 8pm
Venue: The Sunflower (NSS office). 510 Geylang Road #02-05,Singapore 389466
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

16 Jul (Sat): Talks at the Botanic Gardens
These exciting talks are part of NPark's “Forests, People, Environment” Exhibition which runs until 24 Jul at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Trees of Singapore
by Tee Swee Ping
11am-12noon
Library of Botany and Horticulture
(Level 1, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Seagrass Meadows of Singapore
by Lim Wei Ling
11am-12noon
Function Room
(Level 2, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Wildlife in the Nature Reserves by Dr. Leong Tzi Ming
2 - 3pm
Library of Botany and Horticulture
(Level 1, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Singapore's Leaf Monkeys
by Mirza Rifqi
2 - 3pm
Function Room
(Level 2, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

More details on the NParks website. Preview of the exhibition on wild shores of singapore.

Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/
Contact: Visitor Services, 64717361 or NPARKS_SBG_Visitor_Services@NPARKS.GOV.SG

16 Jul (Sat): Talk on "Singaporeans You’ve Never Met"
The National Geographic Store is collaborating with NParks to offer educational talks on local conservation, biodiversity and wildlife. There will also be an exhibition on the biodiversity in Singapore.

Singapore got forest meh? Where can you find animals in Singapore? In the zoo!
Sad but true, these are some of the comments made by people I meet at talks and workshops in various parts of Singapore – a reflection of the lack of knowledge about Singapore’s biodiversity? Did you know that there are about 3,000 hectares of forests in Singapore and they are important habitats to some families of unique Singaporeans? How many Singaporeans are aware of this fact and why? In this talk, I will try and answer some of these uncertainties concerning Singapore’s biodiversity. You will be introduced to a myriad of unique Singaporeans that you have not met, realised the difficulties they face, understand the solutions and actions that need to be taken.

Mr Roy Tan (Senior Outreach Officer) gives this talk

Time: 2.30-3pm
Venue: National Geographic Store #01-19 VivoCity, 1 HarbourFront Walk, Singapore
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

16 Jul (Sat): Talk on "Heritage Trees of Singapore"
The maturing of our Garden City in tandem with the community’s awareness on the importance of conserving our mature trees and protecting our green environment has led to the preservation of many majestic trees. Such trees which have special botanical, historical or cultural significance have been officially endorsed as Heritage Trees. These trees are our steadfast, constant companions in a city that is renowned for its high pace of development and they help us identify with and stay rooted to the place we live in.

Come learn more about our Heritage Trees and where you can find them at a talk given by Mr Joey Gan, who manages the Heritage Tree Scheme at the National Parks Board (NParks).

Time: 3-4pm
Venue: Ang Mo Kio Public Library
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

17 Jul (Sun): Talks at the Botanic Gardens

These exciting talks are part of NPark's “Forests, People, Environment” Exhibition which runs until 24 Jul at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Taking Stock of Singapore’s Marine Biodiversity
by Linda Goh and Jonathan Ngiam
11am-12noon
Library of Botany and Horticulture
(Level 1, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Bird Photography in Singapore
by David Tan
11am-12noon
Function Room
(Level 2, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Migratory Birds of Singapore by James Gan
2 - 3pm
Library of Botany and Horticulture
(Level 1, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Conservation and Reintroduction of Singapore's Native Orchids
by Yam Tim Wing
2 - 3pm
Function Room
(Level 2, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

More details on the NParks website. Preview of the exhibition on wild shores of singapore.

Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/
Contact: Visitor Services, 64717361 or NPARKS_SBG_Visitor_Services@NPARKS.GOV.SG

9-10 Jul (Sat & Sun): Biodiversity talks at the Botanic Gardens

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 13:14:00 +0000

More biodiversity talks this weekend! Learn about our birds and how to photograph them. Find out about our orchids and efforts to conserve them. Hear about our hornbills, dragonflies and heritage trees. Learn about the effort to survey our marine biodiversity, and about the secret shores of Singapore.

These exciting talks are part of NPark's “Forests, People, Environment” Exhibition which runs until 24 Jul at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

9 Jul (Sat)

Birds of Singapore
by Mendis Tan
11am-12noon
Library of Botany & Horticulture
(Level 1, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Taking Stock of Singapore’s Marine Biodiversity
by Linda Goh & Jonathan Ngiam
11am-12noon
Function Room
(Level 2, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Bird Photography in Singapore
by David Tan
2 - 3pm
Library of Botany & Horticulture
(Level 1, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Conservation and Reintroduction of Singapore's Native Orchids
by Yam Tim Wing
2 - 3pm
Function Room
(Level 2, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

10 Jul (Sun)

Dragonflies of Singapore's Parks and Gardens
by Robin Ngiam
11am-12noon
Library of Botany & Horticulture
(Level 1, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Singapore Hornbill Project – Return of the King
by Marc Cremades and Nathalie Lai Hui Min
11am-12noon
Function Room
(Level 2, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Secret Shores of Singapore
by Ria Tan
2 - 3pm
Library of Botany & Horticulture
(Level 1, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Our Heritage Roads and Trees
by Joey Gan
2 - 3pm
Function Room
(Level 2, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/
Contact: Visitor Services, 64717361 or NPARKS_SBG_Visitor_Services@NPARKS.GOV.SG

Other talks this weekend include

9 Jul (Sat): "The Native Plants of Singapore: Growing Your Natural Heritage" by Prof Hugh Tan
9 Jul (Sat): "Sponges in Singapore waters" by Lim Swee Cheng

2-3 Jul (Sat & Sun): Biodiversity talks at the Botanic Gardens

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 10:14:00 +0000

This weekend, enjoy a wide range of talks ranging from our mangroves to wildlife in our forests, our heritage trees to leaf monkeys. And hear from the authors of the two recent publications on nature in Singapore: "Trees of the Istana" and "Wetlands in a City"!

These exciting talks are part of NPark's “Forests, People, Environment” Exhibition which runs until 24 Jul at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

2 Jul (Sat)

“City In A Garden” Photography Competition
by Wong Tuan Wah & Linda Goh
12 - 1pm
Library of Botany & Horticulture
(Level 1, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Conservation and Reintroduction of Singapore's Native Orchids
by Yam Tim Wing
12 - 1pm
Function Room
(Level 2, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Trees of Our Garden City
by Tee Swee Ping
2 - 3pm
Library of Botany & Horticulture
(Level 1, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Wildlife in the Nature Reserves
by Leong Tzi Ming
2 - 3pm
Function Room
(Level 2, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Our Mangrove Forests
by Ang Hui Ping
4 - 5pm
Library of Botany & Horticulture
(Level 1, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Our Heritage Roads and Trees
by Joey Gan
4 - 5pm
Function Room
(Level 2, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

3 Jul (Sun)

Trees of the Istana
by Wong Tuan Wah & Koh Soon Kiong
11am - 12pm
Library of Botany & Horticulture
(Level 1, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Wetlands in a City
by Chua Ee Kiam
2 - 3pm
Library of Botany & Horticulture
(Level 1, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Singapore’s Leaf Monkeys
by Mirza Rifqi
2 - 3pm
Ridley Hall
(Level 2, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/
Contact: Visitor Services, 64717361 or NPARKS_SBG_Visitor_Services@NPARKS.GOV.SG

King-sized creatures of Singapore and more!

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 01:34:00 +0000

The King cobra is one of the animals featured among the latest articles in Nature in Singapore!

An awesome snake that eats other snakes! What do we know about our King cobras? Also articles about our Giant clams, cicada mass emergence and cicada 'rain' and more.

The magnificent King cobra is poorly studied in Singapore. This timely article closes this gap by collating known records of the King cobra in Singapore, and compares these with what is presently known about this snake in the literature. Ivan has done a wonderful review of the paper with more information about King cobras.

Read more in Lim, K. K. P., T. M. Leong &; F. L. K. Lim, 2011. The king cobra, Ophiophagus hannah (Cantor) in Singapore (Reptilia: Squamata: Elapidae). Nature in Singapore, 4: 143–156. [PDF, 1.77 MB]

Giant clams: how do they do it?

Another giant on our shores is the Giant clam! Mei Lin has been studying various aspects of this enormous bivalve and her latest article fills in the gaps of our knowledge on their reproductive development and life
history.

Mei Lin examines a Giant clam on Pulau Jong
with our business district in the background!

Mei Lin outlines more about this and her other work on her blog. She also recently gave a talk about Singapore's amazing Giant clams!

Read more in Neo, M. L., P. A. Todd, L. M. Chou & S. L-M. Teo, 2011. Spawning induction and larval development in the fluted giant clam, Tridacna squamosa (Bivalvia: Tridacnidae). Nature in Singapore, 4: 157–161. [PDF, 650 KB]

A frog far from home?

This article confirms the presence of Günther’s Frog (Hylarana guentheri) that was first officially reported for Singapore from the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, based on calls, but without visual or photographic evidence. Singapore is far beyond the natural range of this frog and the article suggests how it could have arrived here.

Read more in Leong, T. M. & K. K. P. Lim, 2011. Occurrence of Günther’s frog, Hylarana guentheri (Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae) in Singapore. Nature in Singapore, 4: 135–141. [PDF, 734 KB]

Cicada mass emergence and cicada 'rain'

This article recounts the synchronous emergence of the cicada Chremistica umbrosa at Labrador Nature Reserve. With detailed descriptions and lots of photos of cicadas making their final moult, as well as the predators that feasted on the cicadas.

It includes a video clip of cicada ‘rain’! Which the article says is "best experienced if the observer is standing directly beneath or downwind of the spray zone". I guess it's best to keep your mouth closed.

Read more in Leong, T. M., Aminurashid & B. P. Y-H. Lee, 2011. Records of the cicada, Chremistica umbrosa (Distant, 1904) in Singapore, with accounts of its mass emergence (Homoptera: Cicadidae: Cicadinae). Nature in Singapore, 4: 163–175. [PDF, 2.01 MB] Download sound clip here (957 KB)

Hidden caterpillar revealed

The well hidden caterpillar of this moth is seldom seen. This article details the caterpillar and its development into this pretty moth.

Read more in Leong, T. M., 2011. The caterpillar and metamorphosis of Erebus ephesperis (Hübner, 1827) in Singapore (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Erebinae: Erebini). Nature in Singapore, 4: 177–191. [PDF, 2.80 MB]

Runaway plants

In Singapore, some exotic plant ornamentals used for streetscapes or the landscaping have become invasive — spreading into natural habitats and displacing native plant species. This article updates the status of such species with the aim of monitoring current ‘cultivated only’ exotic plants so that methods of intervention can be implemented before these plants cause significant impact to the natural environment.

Read more in Teo, S., K. Y. Chong, Y. F. Chung, B. R. Kurukulasuriya & H. T. W. Tan, 2011. Casual establishment of some cultivated urban plants in Singapore. Nature in Singapore, 4: 127–133. [PDF, 1.02 MB]

24-25 Jun (Fri-Sat): Raffles Museum Open House - for kids!

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 01:07:00 +0000

Come for guided gallery and behind-the-scene tours, work with scientists and experience the life of a curator.
Many exciting activities such as clay-modelling, face painting, mask making, photo hunt and button making. Attractive prizes to be won!

In conjunction with Children’s Season 2011, the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research (RMBR) open house highlights the rich biodiversity in Singapore. Although Singapore is but a small island, our species-rich habitats are something that we can be proud of.

With a shuttle bus from Buona Vista MRT!

Some activities require pre-registration and a minimum donation.

Time: 9am-5pm
Venue: Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, National University of Singapore. More on how to get there.
Website: http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/CS2011/

21 Jun (Tue): "The Sea Anemone Lecture" by Dr Daphne Fautin

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 09:48:00 +0000

Dr Daphne Fautin, world authority on sea anemones, is here to conduct a Sea Anemone Workshop (15-21 Jun) in conjunction with the Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey. She will be giving a public talk at the end of the Workshop.

Dr Daphne on a field trip at Terumbu Semakau to find anemones.

Come for her talk to find out what was discovered at the Workhop! Dr Daphne will speak on the "Hidden treasures of biodiversity: flowers of the marine world (sea anemones)"

Hidden treasures of biodiversity: flowers of the marine world (sea anemones)

Nemo lived in a sea anemone. These animals, which look like harmless flowers, are actually carnivorous that can eat Nemo and other larger prey. Dr Daphne's study of Singapore's sea anemone diversity over the past five years suggests that there about 50 shallow-water species and most of them undocumented until recently.

The sea anemone diversity in Singapore waters include one species that can swim and several that can sting humans. The diversity is so high that it was postulated that Singapore has more species of sea anemones than the entire west coast of north America!

In this talk, Dr Daphne will explore questions like: What allows clownfishes to live in such a hostile environment? What factors are responsible for Singapore having a greater diversity of sea anemones than any area its size anywhere in the world? Where else do sea anemones live? And what role do sea anemones play in nature?

The talk is open to the public, all are welcomed. As places are limited, please register your attendance.

Date: 21 June 2011 (Tue)

Time: 7pm

Venue: Lecture Theater 23

Science Drive 4,
Dept. of Biological Sciences, NUS
map thanks to N. Sivasothi http://map.sivasothi.com/
Contact: Lin Juanhui linjuanhui@nus.edu.sg