Night Safari Zoo Working to Preserve the Toddy Cat Populations in the Siglap/Opera Estate Area

By Kumar Pillai

Singapore - – Long nights of peering into darkness finally paid off on 15 November when a toddy cat was sighted in the Opera Estate area.

Night Safari has been conducting toddy cat surveys in the Siglap/Opera Estate area since end October, in collaboration with the National University of Singapore. The toddy cat project, also known as musang in Malay is part of a conservation effort by the two organisations to resolve and mitigate human-toddy cat conflict reported in the neighborhood.

The first sighting of the toddy cat in the research area has bolstered the hopes of the team as it’s testament to the fact that toddy cats are still part of Singapore’s urban landscape.

Toddy Cats – part of Singapore’s natural heritage
In tandem with the population surveys, an information brochure and resident perception survey form were developed to understand the perceptions of residents with regards to the toddy cat.

So far, 3,000 copies have been disseminated to residents in the Siglap/Opera Estate area. The form is also available online, at www.tinyurl.com/2009civet-survey. Although only a handful of completed forms have been returned, the team is optimistic that more residents will participate in the survey when they become more aware of the project.

“Through this project, we hope to raise the awareness of the plight of the Singapore toddy cats and make people realise that living among these creatures should be a cause of celebration instead of concern. That despite rapid urbanisation, we are still fortunate to have them as part of our natural heritage. We need everybody’s help to preserve them” said Mr Kumar Pillai, assistant director of zoology, Night Safari.

The team targets to complete the survey by January 2010. Thereafter, data gathered will be archived by the National University of Singapore’s Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research for reference. Following which, Night Safari will be writing a paper on the model used to resolve the human/musang conflict which was adopted for the project. This is turn will be used to develop a five-year action plan for the conservation of one of the last remaining carnivores in Singapore – the toddy cat.

ABOUT THE TODDY CAT
The toddy cat or musang is also known as the common palm civet. It averages 3.2kg, has a body length of 53cm and a tail length of 48cm. Its long, stocky body is covered with coarse, shaggy hair that is usually greyish in color, with black on its feet, ears and muzzle. It has three rows of black markings on its body. The markings on its face resemble a raccoon's. Its tail does not have rings, unlike similar civet species. It is found in plantations and is reputed to reside in areas where there is human habitation.

ABOUT WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE
Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) is the parent company of award-winning attractions Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari and Singapore Zoo. WRS parks strive to be world-class leisure attractions, providing excellent exhibits of animals and birds presented in their natural environment for the purpose of conservation, education and recreation. In 2008, Jurong Bird Park served 900,000 visitors, the Night Safari, more than 1.1 million visitors and Singapore Zoo welcomed more than 1.6 million visitors.

WRS parks have been conferred the Best Leisure Attraction Experience Award at the Singapore Tourism Awards 18 times. The record achievement affirms WRS parks’ status as Singapore’s premier leisure venues.

In the areas of conservation and research, WRS parks have undertaken multiple projects, which focus on species such as the oriental pied hornbill, pangolin and orang utan, through collaborations with various organisations and institutions. Recent conservation efforts include hosting a regional Asian pangolin conservation workshop. All WRS parks are designated wildlife rescue centres by the governing authority.

ABOUT NIGHT SAFARI
Night Safari, the world’s first wildlife park for nocturnal animals is an eight-time winner of the Best Visitor Attraction Experience, awarded by Singapore Tourism Board. This internationally acclaimed leisure attraction embodies innovation and creativity in products and services, and service quality, thus attracting more than 1.1 million visitors yearly. Over 1,000 animals from 115 species (of which almost 30% are threatened) inhabit the 40-hectare park.

In line with its mission to promote biodiversity, the park focuses on the captive breeding of threatened species. Over the years, it has bred Malayan tigers, Asian elephants, fishing cats, red dholes, anoas, markhors, bantengs and Malayan tapirs, among other endangered species. A visitor’s experience at Night Safari is not limited to animals but extends to experiential dining segments with the park’s award winning Gourmet Safari Experience, where visitors dine onboard a tram traversing the eight geographical zones. The park can be explored either on foot via three walking trails, or by tram. Night Safari is part of Wildlife Reserves Singapore and is a designated wildlife rescue centre by the governing authority.

Night Safari is located at 80 Mandai Lake Road Singapore 729826. More information can be found at www.nightsafari.com.sg

To view Night Safari's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-2282-Night_Safari