A lost Malayan Tapir was discovered at the Punggol Park Connector in Singapore, surprising a couple of Singaporeans. The news was shared on the Singapore Wildlife Sightings Facebook group, where a man named Richard Seah warned others to be cautious in the park after spotting the tapir. Describing it as “the size of a large pig,” he noted that it was very shy and quickly ran off. Unfortunately, he was unable to capture any clear pictures or video footage of the animal.
Other visitors to the park also encountered the tapir, and one Facebook user named MC Wai managed to capture a photo and video of it. The sighting was reported to the Singapore National Parks Board. The Malayan Tapir is native to Peninsular Malaysia, so it is believed that this tapir likely originated from Johor and somehow crossed over to Singapore. According to the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres), it is speculated that the tapir swam to Singapore through the Tebrau Straits, as the species is known for being excellent swimmers and can even dive underwater to feed on aquatic plants.
Kalai Vanam Balakrishnan, the Co-CEO of Acres, hopes that the tapir will either find its way back to its natural habitat or be repatriated if caught. The tapir is an endangered species, and it is important to ensure its safety and return to its appropriate environment.
The incident has garnered attention and curiosity from the public. People are encouraged to share their thoughts and comments on the situation. This unexpected encounter serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and protecting wildlife habitats to prevent such instances from occurring in the future.
