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Save MacRitchie Forest: 16. Sensless killing of a Flying Lemur

on 9th August 2013

Appeal to Singapore’s Land Transport Authority to re-route the proposed cross-island MRT line away from the MacRitchie forest – sign the petition HERE.

“On a survey at MacRitchie on June 29th 2013, I came across this dead male Malayan Colugo [or Flying Lemur (Cynocephalus variegates) LINK] lying on the concrete path next to the PUB Bukit Kalang service. It had obviously been killed by someone as there was a wound at the back of the head and the neck appeared broken. This culprit is a moronic criminal who just committed murder.

“This individual was often seen low down on the trees by the pathway and was obviously used to the constant human traffic. It was too confiding and paid the price for trusting people. It is now a specimen at Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research.

“This is also another example of how Singapore does not respect our nature reserves to the extent that it deserves and treats it like their neighbourhood park and playground … doing whatever they like without understanding how special the nature reserve really is and how nationally important it truly should be. It is another example in a long list of examples that include large family/company outings, mass events, development around the boundaries and the planning of a Mass Rapid Transit rail through the reserves!

“I apologise for ranting but this has made me very upset!”

Subaraj Rajathurai
Strix Wildlife Consultancy
Singapore
2nd July 2013

Postscript: “I don’t think that this was done by a poacher, who would not have left the carcass behind. This was a gross act of cruelty, so there is no sense to make out of it!”

Earlier Posts:
1. Saving MacRitchie forest: A youngster’s view LINK
2: Introduction LINK
3: Flying Lemur LINK
4: Mammals LINK
5. Fragile frogs and tender tadpoles LINK
6. Refuge for reptiles LINK
7. Eco-performance LINK
8. You can’t see the wood from the trees LINK
9. Sanctuary for spiders LINK
10. Chained to our roots LINK
11. Plants LINK
12. Birds and their status.LINK
13. Mushrooms LINK
14. Butterflies, jewels of the forest LINK
15. A pangolin’s plea LINK
16. Stinkhorn fungus and butterflies LINK

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

7 Responses

  1. This doesn’t make sense. Why would someone kill this creature deliberately? Could it have been poachers looking to catch the animal for the pet trade and abandoning the body after they killed it by mistake during attempted capture?

  2. Hi AM,

    I do not think that this is the work of poachers. The colugo is also not an animal that is caught and kept in captivity. Based on the injuries, it is an act of cruel mischief; such as defacing property or vehicles or the sick people who would kick or even cut up kittens.

    Certain morons just have a need to exercise their need to dominate all nature by chopping at vegetation or abusing/killing animals!

    Sub

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