Seletar Otter Exclusion Trials

OTTER PROOFING TOWARDS #COEXISTENCE On 29th November 2023, ACRES was honoured to receive the Municipal Services Award (community category) for the collaborative project with the Otter Working Group (OWG) in the project “Otter-proofing towards Coexistence at the Seletar Hills Estate”. The smooth-coated otters, native to Singapore, were first observed in the estate in 2021, leading to increased sightings and home intrusions feeding on fish, in 2022. Grassroots Adviser Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin, along with the People’s Association staff, partnered with OWG, which includes NParks @NParksbuzz , ACRES staff and #volunteers, otterwatchers @Ottercity , and Mr Sivasothi @Sivasothi from NUS, his research students Timothy and Genevieve, to tackle the issue at Seletar hills. From May to December 2022, an extensive outreach campaign involved door-to-door visits, resident engagement sessions, roadshows, and otter-proofing exercises. The team identified challenges faced by residents in otter-proofing their homes, leading to the installation of measures at two affected houses from August to October 2022. The researchers closely monitored the otter movements through cameras and on-site interviews. Despite calls for otter removal, OWG emphasized the importance of sustainable solutions, encouraging homeowners to implement measures to deter otters and coexist harmoniously. Trials indicated that otter-proofing could be simple, such as inconspicuous panels at the main gate, and we hope that this initiative encourages more to embrace the presence of wildlife in Singapore’s evolving City in Nature, and address inconveniences in a simple, humane and effective manner.

Our special thanks goes to @jocelynchngcy Jocelyn Chng, our then Wildlife Management Executive and always an Otterwatcher for coordinating the processes for the nomination.

Watch this story on Youtube: https://youtu.be/He_TXWasC94

Read this blog article to learn more: https://www.ourwildneighbours.sg/post/working-together-towards-coexistence-in-seletar-hills-estate

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ACRES

ACRES (Animal Concerns Research & Education Society) is a pioneering Singapore-based charity and Institution of Public Character, founded by Singaporeans in 2001 with the aim of promoting animal welfare.

ACRES has six focus areas: Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, Wildlife Crime Investigation, Zoo Animal Welfare, Humane Education, Community Outreach and Promoting Cruelty-Free Living.

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