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Yishun resident stunned by cow at lift landing  (Group 3)

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Yishun resident stunned by cow at lift landing  (Group 3)

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The cow will brought into the home and made to walk around, thus blessing the premises, as per Hindu beliefs.

Residents who wish to have this ritual performed in their homes need to inform a dairy farm, reports The New Paper.

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Yishun resident stunned by cow at lift landing: Here’s likely why it was there

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A Yishun resident’s photos of a cow at a lift landing have gone viral on Facebook. Stomp contributors Gan, Dixon, Arina, Andy, Nur Tasha, Kelvin and Edwin alerted Stomp to the post. In it, the resident posted photos of the cow at the lift landing of block 506B, accompanied by a man into the elevator. While the sight is unusual,…

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Runaway horse goes for a gallop on the BKE

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The horse was later seen being escorted away from traffic. Read more at straitstimes.com.

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Track invasion by monitor lizards at S’pore Grand Prix opening practice: ‘Maybe Godzilla had a kid’

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Friday’s Formula One practice session had some surprise guests as several monitor lizards wandered onto the race track, to the bemusement of drivers and watching fans. Read more at stomp.straitstimes.com

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'91cm-long' python at bus stop near Punggol Polyclinic removed by AVA(Group 1)

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'91cm-long' python at bus stop near Punggol Polyclinic removed by AVA(Group 1)

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On October 8 at a Singapore bus stop, a 91-centimeter Burmese python was spotted and later removed by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Association of Singapore (AVA), which handed it over to Wildlife Reserves Singapore. A photo shared on Facebook showed the python partly on a concrete pavement and partly on a grassy area, emphasizing the need for caution, especially when with children. AVA advised against approaching, disturbing, or attempting to catch such wildlife, urging people to maintain a safe distance. Contacting AVA for assistance or feedback was encouraged, along with referring to their website for snake-related information.

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A python was spotted at a bus stop outside a polyclinic along Punggol Drive on Oct 8 at about 8am.

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Association of Singapore (AVA) told Stomp that they removed the python and handed it over to Wildlife Reserves Singapore.

In a photo uploaded by Facebook user Irah Nasirah, the python is seen crawling onto a concrete pavement from a grassy area.

Half of its body is on the concrete pavement while the other half is on a grass patch.

"Be extra careful especially when you are with kids ok," said the caption on the Facebook post.

"Always make sure you keep an eye out for them while waiting for the bus there."

In a phone interview with Stomp, Ms Irah said the photo was taken by her husband, Mr Halek Harun.

Mr Halek also told Stomp: "It looks like a Burmese python and was about 91 centimetres long.

In response to a Stomp media query, AVA said: "AVA was alerted to a case of a python near Punggol Polyclinic on Oct 8.

"The python was removed and handed over to Wildlife Reserves Singapore.

"AVA advises the public not to approach, disturb, feed or try to catch any wildlife, including snakes.

"Keep a safe distance from the animals and avoid confronting or cornering them.

"Do not interact with the animals, and ensure that young children and pets are kept away from them.

"The public can refer to the advisory on snakes on our website, and contact AVA at 1800-476-1600 to provide feedback or request for assistance."

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'91cm-long' python at bus stop near Punggol Polyclinic removed by AVA

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A python was spotted at a bus stop outside a polyclinic along Punggol Drive on Oct 8 at about 8am. Read more at stomp.straitstimes.com

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https://tinyurl.com/TE02CICT

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A video of a family of otters taking a dip in a condominium's swimming pool circulated on social media recently.

Atas otters

The video was originally taken by a resident, G.byun, and was then posted to Reddit and several Facebook pages like Legit Singapore and Hello Asia Singapore.

These otters are, as some have described, "high-SES" ones.

Instead of playing around in Singapore's waterways, they've chosen to frolic in the waters of a private condominium.

The short 24-second clip showed the six furry creatures gambolling and splashing around in the water, which was later revealed by commenters to be the swimming pool at Park Infinia, located near Newton.

If you take a closer look at the video, one of them even appears to be snacking on what appears to be a bright orange koi fish.

This is what relaxation looks like.

Video tag is not supported in this browser.

Video by G.byun

According to The Straits Times, the curious sight took place on Mar. 8.

This isn't the first time otters have entered urban premises.

In 2019, six otters feasted on and beheaded pet koi fishes specially reared over many years.

In this latest incident though, the koi fish had reportedly been brought into the pool from elsewhere.

Otters likely entered through gaps in condo's fence

Local otter-watching group Ottercity elaborated on Facebook that the otter family depicted in the video was that of the Zouk family.

The Zouk family is a spin-off the Bishan family, consisting of five adults and three pups, and had recently taken up residence at Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Ottercity believes that since the pups have grown, the family is likely traveling via canals to explore the surrounding areas.

The group also speculated that the water-loving mammals were attracted to the sounds of flowing water from the numerous water features and pools within the condominium, and had likely entered the premise through the gaps in the fence surrounding its perimeter.

They also stated that the National Parks Board, Acres and Otter Watch Group are in contact with the estate's management.

More otter shenanigans

Top photo from G.byun

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6 otters frolicking in Newton condo swimming pool & snacking on koi is true S'pore life goals

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Rare tapir spotted at Punggol park connector; experts caution against going near animal

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Malayan tapirs can grow up to 2.5m in length and weigh up to 500kg. Read more at straitstimes.com.

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What can the people do?

Monkeys are terrorising a Bukit Timah neighbourhood and making residents feel like they are prisoners in their own homes, said a woman living there.

Stomp contributor Natalie, who lives at Yuk Tong Avenue, shared a video of two monkeys outside her window on April 4.

"Please help," said the Stomp contributor. "Our neighborhood is getting more monkeys trying to raid our houses.

"I just moved into this neighborhood a year ago, but I got to know from the group chat that it's getting worse now. Every day, residents would post pictures in the chat if they spotted the group of monkeys around their houses."

She said the monkeys have entered her home through the balcony when the blinds were up.

"Quite a number of the residents had their houses raided by the monkeys before," she added and shared a photo of a monkey on someone's dining table.

The Stomp contributor said the animals took mainly food such as eggs, sweet potato and papaya.

"Someone hanged a stuffed toy tiger thinking it can actually act as a scarecrow, but in vain," recounted the Stomp contributor.

"It's really scary though. Residents feel that they are prisoners in their own homes. We have to lock ourselves in securely. Every day, all my windows are locked. I have to step out for fresh air."

She said the residents have written to their MP and the National Parks Board (NParks) for help.

"We were told to use a broom, laser light or a loud hailer if we encounter monkeys in our house."

Earlier this month, Stomp reported that an enrichment centre for pre-schoolers in the same area was worried for the safety of the children after monkeys started "creating a disturbance" there.

The monkeys are likely long-tailed macaques from the nearby Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

In response to a Stomp query, Dr Adrian Loo, Group Director, Wildlife Management, National Parks Board (NParks) said: "NParks adopts a community- and science-based approach to managing wildlife in Singapore.

"Since 2022, NParks has received about 50 feedback cases on long-tailed macaques around Beauty World MRT.

"We have been conducting mitigation measures around that area, such as monkey guarding, trapping operations and engaging residents on steps that they can take to minimise macaque intrusion."

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"Long-tailed macaques are forest fringe creatures which move between forest patches in search of food and territory. In areas where there are macaque encounters, targeted mitigation measures such as reducing the availability of food are implemented.

"This includes enforcing against the feeding of wildlife, ensuring proper waste disposal, harvesting fruit trees, installing monkey-proof fittings, conducting monkey guarding, and translocating individuals monkeys where appropriate.

"Long-term population control measures such as sterilisation are being carefully studied and will be implemented where appropriate.

"NParks also carries out population surveys and research studies to understand the distribution of wildlife throughout Singapore's nature areas. This helps NParks identify areas that may require mitigation measures, such as habitat modification; and implement outreach and engagement programmes for residents living near green spaces, on how to minimise home intrusions.

"If macaques approach you in the open, remain calm and quiet and do not make any sudden movements or maintain eye contact with them. Instead, look away and back off slowly. Keep away from the area until they have left.

"Macaques also associate plastic bags with presence of food and will try to snatch them upon sight. We advise members of public to keep plastic bags out of macaques' sight when spotted.

"Members of the public may also call the 24-hour Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600."
This article was first published in Stomp. Permission required for reproduction.

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'Residents are prisoners in their own homes': Woman living in Bukit Timah neighbourhood says monkeys raid for food

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What can the people do? Monkeys are terrorising a Bukit Timah neighbourhood and making residents feel like they are prisoners in their own homes, said a woman living there. Stomp contributor Natalie, who lives at Yuk Tong Avenue, shared a video of two monkeys outside her window on April 4.