WILD ANIMALS AND RAIN FORESTS IN SINGAPORE

WILD ANIMALS IN SINGAPORE

the last tiger

Some say Singapore’s last wild tiger was shot in the billiards room of the Raffles Hotel in the early 1902. But in actuality it was shot by one Ong Kim Hock near what is now Bukit Timah Nature Reserve in 1930. The tiger shot at Raffles escaped from a show. The one at Bukit Timah was wild. It s said the island of Singapore once was teeming with tigers.

Toads, geckos, spiders and tree frogs are commonly seen and sometimes make their way into people’s shoes. Occasionally cobras are seen slithering through gardens and underbrush. The government has staged an aggressive campaign to get rid of unwanted crows. The demand for porcupine quills for talismans in Uganda and Singapore has added some species to the endangered list.

The dense tropical forests that originally covered Singapore have mostly been cleared. However, there are some rainforests in the central area of the island, as well as extensive mangrove swamps along the coast. The greatest concentration of plant life is found in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, which is one of the largest areas of primary rainforest in the country. Urban development has limited animal life. As of 2002, at least 85 species of mammals, 142 species of birds and over 2,200 species of plants were found throughout the country. [Source: Worldmark Encyclopedia of Nations, Thomson Gale, 2007]

According to a 2006 report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), threatened species included three types of mammals, ten species of birds, four types of reptiles, thirteen species of fish, one species of invertebrate and fifty-four species of plants. Threatened species in Singapore include Ridley's leaf-nosed bats, Chinese egrets, yellow-crested cockatoos, Batagur turtles and Singapore roundleaf horseshoe bats.

Rainforests in Singapore

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (Upper Bukit Road, only seven miles from the city center) is one of only two city primary rain forest parks in the world (the other is in Rio de Janeiro). It covers 3,043 hectares and features a network of well-organized hiking trails. In the middle of the park is Singapore's highest point (162.5-meter Bukit Timah Hill). On the walking trails, visitors can see exotic birds, butterflies, long-tailed macaques, flying squirrels, mouse deer, reticulated pythons, venomous green Malayan coral snakes and other wildlife. There are photo displays and exhibits about the rain forest in the visitors center. The names of some the trees and plants on the hiking routes are presented on little signs by the trees.

Amandie Wang

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve has been left mostly undisturbed; despite the progress and development that has transformed much of Singapore. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve has more than 500 species of animals and over 840 flowering plants. It was also once an active quarrying site in the mid-1900s, with an abandoned quarry which has now been developed as the Hindhede Nature Park, and features rock-climbing activities. Biking trails outside the reserve and guided tours are also available. [Source: yoursingapore.com, Singapore Tourism Board]

To protect the forest’s native biodiversity, certain activities are prohibited within the nature reserve – such as hiking in groups of more than 30 without a permit or the feeding of animals. So if you’re planning a trip here, it’s best to come in smaller groups to enjoy the park in a more personalised proximity.

The famous English naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace began his historic study of Malay flora and fauna in the Singapore rain forests in 1854. He stayed at a Jesuit mission surrounded by logging camps. In less than two months he collected 700 species of beetle. He attributed his success to the loggers who left behind piles of sawdust and rotting wood for the beetles to feed on. Wallace said his greatest fear was of tigers. In the “Malay Archipelago”, he wrote, “"It was rather nervous work hunting for insects among the fallen trunks and old sawpits, when one of these savage animals might be lurking close by, waiting an opportunity to spring upon us." He also feared tiger traps—pits up to 20 feet deep—that were scattered around the island.

See Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Places, Malay Archipelago, Indonesia

Animals and Plants in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Jamie James wrote in Natural History magazine: The reticulated python has replaced the tiger at the top of the reserve's food chain). Other large mammals that have vanished are the leopard, the largest species of deer (the sambar and the barking deer), the pig-tailed macaque, and the wild pig. Some ecologists think that once the big vertebrates are gone, it is just a matter of time before the entire fabric of biodiversity unravels. [Source: Jamie James, Natural History magazine, April 2004]

Mammals: Common tree shrew, longtailed macaque, mouse deer, pangolin, plantain squirrel, slender squirrel, and flying lemur (not a lemur at all, this last species, which glides like a flying squirrel, is one of just two extant species in the order Dermoptera).

Birds: Asian fairy bluebird, greater racket-tailed drongo, olive-winged bulbul, orange-bellied flowerpecker, and striped tit-babbler.

Reptiles and amphibians: Blackbearded flying lizard, elegant bronzeback snake, green-crested lizard, paradise tree snake, reticulated python, spiny turde, and Wagler's pit viper.

Insects: Atlas moth, forest grasshopper, giant forest ant, giant honeybee, green-bodied cicada, jungle cockroach, Nepliila inaculata spider, rhinoceros beetle, sky blue butterfly, and wood scorpion.

Trees: Aquilaria malacceiisis, jelutong, keruing, nemusu, and seraya. Shrubs and herbs: Ant plant, black hly, Haiigtiaiia malayana. pendant ixora. Ferns: Bird's nest fern, resam, stag- horn fern, and various grass terns and tree ferns.”

Wild Monkeys in Singapore

Despite its highly urbanized landscape, Singapore is home to populations of wild monkeys that inhabit the island’s remaining forests, mangroves, and nature reserves. Two monkey species are native to the country: the long-tailed macaque and the critically endangered Raffles’ banded langur. These primates are most commonly found in protected forested areas such as the Central Catchment Nature Reserve and the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, although macaques are also frequently seen near roads, parks, and residential areas located close to forest edges.

The long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) is the most widespread and visible monkey species in Singapore, with an estimated population of around 2,000 animals. Highly adaptable and intelligent, macaques often forage for food near human settlements and have become accustomed to human presence in some locations. Their ability to obtain food from people has occasionally led to conflicts, including incidents involving stolen food or aggressive behavior. Wildlife authorities have therefore emphasized the importance of not feeding monkeys, as feeding encourages dependency on humans and increases the likelihood of negative encounters.

The second native species, the Raffles’ banded langur (Presbytis femoralis), is far rarer and much less frequently seen. Also known as the banded leaf monkey, it is a shy, primarily herbivorous primate that lives mainly in the forest canopy deep within Singapore’s central forests. Only a small population survives in the country, making the species critically endangered. Conservation efforts have focused on protecting and reconnecting forest habitats to support the langur’s survival. Singapore’s National Parks Board and Animal & Veterinary Service advise members of the public who encounter wild monkeys to maintain a distance of at least five meters, avoid direct eye contact, and keep food and plastic bags out of sight to reduce the risk of conflict with the animals.

Horseshoe Crabs in Singapore

The Nature Society (Singapore) has played a leading role in studying and conserving local horseshoe crab populations in Singapore. Since 2005, volunteers have regularly visited the Mandai mudflats near Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve to rescue horseshoe crabs trapped in fishing nets. The project later expanded into a citizen-science research program in which volunteers measure, record, and monitor the animals. Researchers say horseshoe crabs are an important part of the marine food chain because their eggs and young provide food for migratory birds. Conservation groups have also collaborated with scientists and students in Singapore and neighboring countries such as Malaysia to collect more data and improve protection efforts for the species and their habitats. [Source: Audrey Tan, Straits Times,, October 10, 2016]

Of the four horseshoe crab species found worldwide, three occur in Asia, including the coastal horseshoe crab, mangrove horseshoe crab, and Chinese horseshoe crab. The three Asian species are currently listed as “data deficient” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species, meaning there is insufficient scientific information to assess their risk of extinction. In contrast, the Atlantic horseshoe crab found in the Americas is classified as vulnerable because of habitat loss and harvesting for its blue blood, which is used in pharmaceutical testing.

In Asia, horseshoe crabs face growing pressure from coastal development, as mangroves and mudflats are reclaimed for housing, ports, and industrial projects. Conservationists warn that the destruction of these habitats threatens not only horseshoe crabs but also many other species that depend on coastal ecosystems.

Researchers at Republic Polytechnic have also worked on breeding mangrove horseshoe crabs in captivity to better understand their life cycle and explore future conservation measures. Scientists hope that raising awareness about horseshoe crabs can help protect Singapore’s remaining mangrove ecosystems, which now cover less than 1 percent of the country’s land area. Conservationists say greater regional cooperation and long-term monitoring will be necessary to determine the true conservation status of Asian horseshoe crabs and ensure the survival of these ancient animals.

Rare Catfish Found in Singapore

Researchers in Singapore have confirmed the first recorded presence of the rare freshwater catfish species Encheloclarias kelioides in the country after discovering it in the Nee Soon Swamp Forest within the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. The discovery was made by researchers Tan Zhi Wan and Elysia Toh while they were conducting surveys for decapods, a group of crustaceans that includes crabs and lobsters. The pair initially observed an unidentified fish in the swamp but did not collect it because they lacked the required permit. After photographing the animal, they returned to the area and used baited traps to capture specimens for further study. [Source: Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, March 16, 2023]

The researchers identified the fish as Encheloclarias kelioides, a little-known species of catfish previously known only from peat swamp habitats in Malaysia and Indonesia. The catfish is a small brown freshwater species that grows to about four inches in length and inhabits acidic swamp environments with dense vegetation. Scientists reported finding the species in three separate locations within Nee Soon Swamp Forest, leading them to conclude that the fish is native to Singapore rather than an accidental introduction. The findings were published in the Raffles Bulletin of Zoology.

The discovery was considered significant because freshwater fish in Singapore have been extensively surveyed since the 1970s, yet the species had remained undetected for decades. Researchers believe the catfish’s preference for difficult-to-access swamp habitats helped it avoid discovery both in Singapore and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. Because little is known about its population size and distribution, scientists recommended that the species be considered critically endangered in Singapore and emphasized the importance of conserving the Nee Soon Swamp Forest, one of the country’s last remaining freshwater swamp ecosystems.

Ant-Hunters in Singapore

In parks, forests and housing estates across Singapore, a small community of ant enthusiasts spends evenings searching for queen ants, the reproductive females capable of starting new colonies. Armed with flashlights, collectors inspect tree trunks, pavements and dark corners after rain, when winged ants often emerge during mating flights. [Source: Yiming Woo, Reuters, May 31, 2017]

Finding a queen ant can require hours of searching and considerable luck. “You can search for a few hours without finding anything at all,” said Leland Tan, a 14-year-old hobbyist who once found two queen ants in a single night. Singapore’s tropical climate supports more than 40 species of ants, making the island a popular location for amateur collectors and insect enthusiasts.

Interest in ant-keeping has grown in recent years through social media communities. One of the largest groups, Ants Singapore, was created to connect hobbyists interested in collecting and breeding ants. Members exchange advice on building formicariums, or ant farms, caring for colonies and identifying different species. Videos and photographs of unusual ants from around the world are also widely shared online.

Many collectors say they hope to change public perceptions of ants, which are often viewed mainly as household pests. Chris Chan, an ant enthusiast from Johor Bahru in neighboring Malaysia, has used YouTube and Facebook to promote the hobby and educate newcomers about ant care. Chan keeps dozens of colonies in specially designed ant farms inside his home. At first, Chan’s hobby surprised members of his household, who questioned why he needed large amounts of sand and wood for his room. Over time, however, his family came to accept the pastime after seeing his enthusiasm and dedication.

Chan also organizes night excursions to teach beginners how to locate queen ants and safely capture them for observation. Hobbyists say ant colonies can be as fascinating to watch as aquariums, with collectors often spending hours observing the insects build tunnels, gather food and care for their young. The hobby remains relatively small in Singapore, but enthusiasts say interest is increasing as more people learn about the complexity and social behavior of ants.

Singapore and the Illegal Animal Trade

Singapore was a major hub for wildlife trafficking but not as much now as before. So many endangered wild animals were smuggled into Singapore, and then exported out with false documents, that wildlife officials call Singapore one of the "black holes" of "animal laundering." In wild animal markets in Singapore not so long ago one could buy peeled pythons, gutted six-foot long monitor lizards, caged flying foxes and beheaded toads.

Philip Lim of AFP wrote: “Singapore's extensive trade links and efficient ports have lured opportunistic wildlife smugglers, who use the country as a transit point to ship exotic fauna to customers worldwide, animal welfare activists said. Wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC lists Singapore as among the world's top 10 wildlife smuggling hubs. "The animals are just shipped into Singapore, (which acts) like a transit point from other countries like Indonesia or Malaysia or other neighbouring countries or surrounding islands," Boopal said. [Source: Philip Lim, AFP, March 30, 2010 /~/]

“High-value birds and reptiles such as cockatoos, turtles and snakes frequently pass through the island nation's borders illegally en route to other countries to be sold as pets, food or for medicine. There is also trade in even more exotic wildlife such as star tortoises, hornbills and the sugar glider, a small marsupial, Boopal said. Figures released by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) show that the number of controlled items detected, including live wildlife, as well as unsanctioned food products, hit 5,900 in 2009, more than triple the level recorded in 2008. The ICA called the increase "significant" and said it noted the "wide array of animals and wildlife species that travellers had attempted to smuggle into Singapore". /~/

“But activists say despite the increased level of detection, they represent just the tip of the iceberg, believing traffickers are exploiting Singapore's international reputation to boost trade. "When you smuggle the animals into Singapore and you export out with a country of origin as Singapore, it is very rare that other countries will check because of our very good reputation," said Louis Ng, executive director of ACRES. /~/

“He said that Singapore's free trade agreements with other countries also meant smugglers could often avoid paying tax and made clearing customs easier. Ng said checks for wildlife and animal products remain inadequate, believing sniffer dogs would help plug the loophole, such as those used in South Korea. Chris Shepherd, TRAFFIC's Southeast Asian acting regional director, urged the government to be tougher in cracking down on illegal trade. "The authorities in Singapore and in other importing-exporting countries should take great care in ensuring the wildlife they are importing is from a legal source and has been acquired in a legal manner," he said. /~/

Rescuing Animals in Singapore from the Illegal Animal Trade

Philip Lim of AFP wrote: “Midori the iguana sits on a platform contemplating his snack of fresh fruit. He is one of the lucky ones, rescued and nursed back to health in Singapore. Three months ago the huge and notoriously touchy 1.5-metre (five-foot) adult male was brought into the non-profit Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) rescue centre in bad shape. Director Anbarasi Boopal said Midori had mouth ulcers and excreted a razor blade on his first day at the sanctuary. "He was under critical care for a while, now he is completely fine," Boopal told AFP as she beamed at the iguana, due to be repatriated to his natural habitat in the lush rainforests of Central and South America. [Source: Philip Lim, AFP, March 30, 2010 /~/]

“The lizard, whose name, given by his rescuers, means "green" in Japanese, was likely part of the steady stream of creatures brought into Singapore illegally when he was smaller and then abandoned after growing too big. Other mistreated pets and trafficked animals are not so fortunate, destined for slaughter or a life of confinement away from their natural habitats. /~/

“The ACRES centre, where Midori is recuperating, received more than 220 abandoned, surrendered or rescued lizards, tortoises and turtles in just seven months after opening last August, many of them illegal and endangered. Boopal forgives Midori his bad temper, saying signs of stress in the presence of humans can be a positive sign. "He gets a bit stressed when people walk nearby, so he might start lashing his tail," Boopal said. "This is good. He is still wild, which is good." /~/

Painted Elephants Promote Conservation in Singapore

In November 2011, more than 100 elephants, some painted with big "come hither" eyes and others coloured bright red, were paraded in and around Singapore street corners and office parks— and even inside some buildings—to promote conservation. Reuters reported: “It's the Elephant Parade, a collection of 162 elephant sculptures decorated by artists and celebrities including comedian Ricky Gervais, singer Leona Lewis and actor Rupert Grint of "Harry Potter" fame — all in the name of conservation.” [Source: Reuters, November 21, 2011]

"We hope to highlight the plight of the Asian elephant, whose survival in the wild is threatened by habitat loss due to urbanization as well as human-elephant conflict resulting from competition for limited space and food resources," said Biswajit Guha, general manager at the Singapore Zoo, which is also taking part in the event.

The original sculptures, around 1.5 metres high, will be on display for the next two months and in January will be auctioned by Sotheby's, with part of the proceeds going to The Asian Elephant Foundation and the conservation fund of Wildlife Reserves Singapore. Similar fundraising efforts have taken place in Europe before, but this is the Elephant Parade's first Asian stop. For now, many in the stressed and hectic city-state said they welcomed the presence of the light-hearted pachyderms.

"After working in front of a computer screen and looking at lots of numbers, seeing this type of street art kind of makes the other part of your brain do a little thinking," said Richard Bowman, a partner at Ernst & Young. "I love the brightness of the elephants against what are mostly grey office buildings."

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons

Text Sources: “Encyclopedia of World Cultures Volume 5: East/Southeast Asia:” edited by Paul Hockings, 1993; National Geographic, Live Science, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Times of London, Lonely Planet Guides, Library of Congress, Singapore Tourism Board, The Guardian, Smithsonian magazine, The New Yorker, Time, Encyclopedia.com, The Conversation, BBC, CNN, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Lonely Planet Guides, Google AI, Wikipedia and various websites, books and other publications.

Last updated May 2026