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SINGAPORE – Pasir Ris residents have spoken, and most respondents want wildlife, especially wild chickens, to roam their neighborhood to stay.
Chief Minister Teo Chee Hean released the results of the Pasir Ris Estate Wild Animal Survey on Tuesday (Dec. 8), following a two-week online survey of 4,688 respondents that ended on Sunday.
Wild chickens captured the hearts of 72 percent of those surveyed, who want them to keep roaming free. About a fifth would like the hens to remain on the farm, but with the number controlled.
However, feelings were mixed when it came to stray dogs and wild boars. About a third (32 percent) say they let wild boars roam as they wish, and slightly more (35 percent) say the same about stray dogs.
Almost 30 percent would like the dogs and wild boars to stay at Pasir Ris, but in controlled numbers.
Nearly 40 percent of those polled voted for all wild boars to be removed or relocated from their neighborhood, and 36 percent voted the same for stray dogs.
For other wild animals, half of the respondents want the animals to continue to roam freely in their neighborhood.
Among those who participated in the survey were 4,505 residents of Pasir Ris.
SM Teo, leader of the Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC five MP team, posted the survey online on November 22, following a wild boar attack in the area the previous week.
A wild boar had attacked a 50-year-old woman in Sungei Api Api Park on November 17 and shot her down. He suffered lacerations to his left leg and face.
SM Teo, announcing the survey results on his Facebook page, said that they have been sent to the National Parks Board (NParks).
“Many residents also commented that we should have more education efforts on human-wildlife interactions,” he added.
His team appreciates the offer of the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) to work with NParks to help inform Pasir Ris residents and park users about such interactions.
Acres Deputy CEO Kalai Vanan said it’s good to see that most of those surveyed wanted the animals to stay.
Mr. Kalai also noted that there is an effective Dog Trapping, Neutering, Releasing and Handling program across the island, “which is a long-term humane solution for the stray dog population compared to simple removal.”
Two weeks ago, SM Teo visited the resident who was injured by the wild boar.
“She returned home after several days in the hospital and is recovering, but still requires some medical procedures in the next few weeks,” he said in his Facebook post.
The resident and her family have lived in Pasir Ris for 20 years.
“She hopes that the users of the park do not feed the animals; and that we can all work together to make the park safer, especially for the elderly and young children,” he added.
Some Pasir Ris residents, such as 31-year-old investor relations manager Janet Chia, said the findings did not surprise her, as wild boars and stray dogs can be perceived as more intimidating compared to wild chickens.
Undergraduate student Teoh Xin Yi, 22, said that some of her family members had been chased by stray dogs while biking at a park connector in Pasir Ris.
“Despite the negative encounter, we enjoy the wildlife around us. My dad likes to see wild boars roaming around, but from a distance.”
SM Teo, for his part, emphasized that animals should not be fed.
“Feeding animals encourages them to approach humans in search of food. Feeding them also provides them with more food than the normal environment can support.”
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