A couple of Singaporeans recently had an unexpected encounter with an endangered wildlife recently after a lost Malayan Tapir somehow ended up at the Punggol Park Connector in the country.
As shared on the Singapore Wildlife Sightings Facebook group on 22 July, a Singaporean man asked people to beware if they’re at the park as he just saw a Tapir “the size of a large pig” opposite Coney Island.
The man, Richard Seah, added that the animal was very shy and run off and he didn’t manage to take any photos as it was too quick and his GoPro footage was too blurry.
As it turns out, several other visitors to the park also encountered the Tapir, with another Facebook user, MC Wai managing to capture the animal in a photo and video. He had since reported the encounter to the Singapore National Parks Board.
As its name would suggest, the Malayan Tapir is native to Peninsular Malaysia and it is likely that the animal originated from Johor and somehow crossed across to Singapore.
As reported by The Straits Times, the Tapir spotted by the two Singaporeans most likely swam to the country through the Tebrau Straits, according to the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres).
The endangered animal is an excellent swimmer and can even dive underwater to feed on aquatic plants. Co-CEO of Acres, Kalai Vanam Balakrishnan hopes that the Tapir will find its way back or that it will be repatriated back if it’s caught.
So, what do you guys think of the incident? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Also read: Watch: Tapir Found Roaming The Empty Roads Of Kuala Kelawang
