Sambar deer grazes next to BKE road shoulder, turns to look at driver
A driver on the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) chanced upon a herd of at least three sambar deer grazing in the middle of the night.
He took a video that was circulated across WhatsApp, though a shorter version was posted on SG Road Vigilante on Facebook, which said it was taken on Friday (29 Nov).
In the clip, the driver slows down to a stop in front of three deer, one of whom is grazing in front of the guard rail.
Source: WhatsApp
Sambar deer jumps over guard rail on BKE after car stops
When the car stops just before it, the deer turns and looks at it.
Source: WhatsApp
It then casually jumps over the guard rail to join the others.
Source: WhatsApp
The driver continues recording and manages to get another close-up shot of a deer amid the bushes.
Source: WhatsApp
The deer stands still for a moment and looks calmly at the driver, before vanishing into the foliage.
Source: WhatsApp
The driver can be heard saying in Malay that he is on the BKE, but it’s unclear what part of the expressway he was on.
The WhatsApp video, marked as forwarded many times, is being sent with a message warning drivers to be alert in the Mandai area.
Sambar deer most active at night
The sambar deer, known scientifically as Rusa unicolor, is one of the largest deer species in the world after the moose and the elk, according to the National Parks Board (NParks).
They inhabit mostly wooded habitats such as dense rainforest, open deciduous forest and secondary forest.
They rest among thick vegetation during the day and are most active at dusk and night, feeding on a wide variety of vegetation including grasses, leafy foliage, fruit, water plants, shrubs and trees.
Living in small herds, they usually communicate by scent marking and foot stamping.
Other sambar deer sightings in 2024
This wasn’t the first sighting of sambar deer this year.
In January, a herd of deer was seen grazing on a grass patch by the side of the BKE while another herd was seen doing the same at Mandai Road.
Unfortunately, a sambar deer died in July after being hit by a taxi on Mandai Road.
NParks has reminded motorists to drive within the speed limit and be alert to animals crossing when on roads in forested areas, especially where there’s relevant signage.
Members of the public shouldn’t handle injured wild animals on their own but contact the 24-hour NParks Animal Response Centre hotline at 1800-476-1600 or visit www.avs.gov.sg/feedback.
Also read: Photographer in S’pore captures nighttime picture of Sambar deer using lighting from street lamps
Photographer in S’pore captures nighttime picture of Sambar deer using lighting from street lamps
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Featured image adapted from WhatsApp.
