Otters have become the unofficial national animals of Singapore, with many fans obsessed with tracking their every move.
However, we should remember that otters, like any other wildlife living here, can be unintentionally affected by our actions.
An otter was seen with a piece of string around its neck at Robertson Quay, prompting a concerned member of the public to call the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES).
Source: Reddit
They reportedly said they would monitor the otter.
In a Reddit post on Monday (7 Aug), a netizen shared a photo of the otter frolicking with other otters at Robertson Quay.
He later told Yahoo Southeast Asia that the photo was taken at the southern bank of the Singapore River, about 20m from Alkaff Bridge.
The otter was on the stairs of a ferry stop, he added.
Source: Google Maps
From the photo, the otter appeared to have what looked like a piece of raffia string wound tightly around its neck.
Besides the OP, a few couples and an uncle were also watching the otters, he said.
He also identified the otter as being from the famous Zouk family.
They got their name as they’re active in the Singapore River vicinity, behind the former location of Zouk.
In his Reddit post, the OP asked netizens whether there was anybody to call in Singapore who traps or rescues otters with problems.
He was advised to call the National Parks Board (NParks) or ACRES.
More than an hour later, he said he called ACRES and chatted with them over WhatsApp.
Source: Reddit
He also sent them the photo, as well as the location and time that it was taken.
They told him they would monitor the situation if the otter’s mobility didn’t seem affected.
In response to a question on how the monitoring would work, a netizen said that the otter didn’t appear distressed.
Thus, trying to trap it would cause more trauma to the animal than leaving it alone.
Source: Reddit
That’s because tranquilising an animal can have a negative outcome, including death.
Nevertheless, a netizen sympathised with the otter, saying having the string around its neck looked painful.
Source: Reddit
Another commenter took further action by sending a screenshot to Singapore Otterwatch, a community volunteer preservation group.
Source: Reddit
Unfortunately, the Robertson Quay otter seems to have become ensnared in a piece of trash that could have been left behind by a member of the public.
This isn’t the first time something similar has happened.
In September 2022, OtterWatch called attention to a limping otter that was seen with a fishing hook stuck in her paw.
In a later update, they said the otter was found without the hook, though she was still injured.
Hopefully, we can learn to show more consideration to the wildlife sharing the island with us, including not leaving anything around that may harm them.
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Featured image adapted from Reddit.
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