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NewsAsia, 10 Apr 05 Public advised not to release animals into nature reserves, reservoirs The public has been told not to release animals into nature reserves and reservoirs. This advice comes in the light of Vesak Day as some Buddhists see the act of releasing animals in captivity as a compassionate gesture. Ms Sharon Chan, Assistant Director of Central Nature Reserve, said the public's well-intentioned act might do the animals more harm than good. She said many released animals would not survive well as they do not have the natural instinct and capability to forage for food or fend for themselves. Most of these animals are also non-native species to Singapore. In releasing them into the nature reserves, they affect the natural and local flora and fauna species in the ecosystem. Similarly, non-native animals released into the reservoirs will cause an ecological imbalance. Exotic fishes such as the luohan are carnivorous and may prey upon the native fishes, thus upsetting the ecological system. To bring the message home to the people, the National Parks Board and the Public Utilities Board will be conducting educational and outreach activities. These include a public exhibition at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve from Tuesday till June 6. They would also be distributing brochures and holding educational exercises with support from volunteers and nature groups. Straits Times, 11 May 05 When acts of mercy can kill by Lin Zhaowei Vesak plea: Sudden release of animals into the wild means sure death. One Monday morning last year, rangers at the Central Catchment Nature Reserve were on a routine patrol when they saw a few quails hopping around some bushes. On taking a closer look, they were horrified to find a heap of dead quails. The incident occured on May 24 last year, a week before Vesak Day, when animals are released as a gesture of compassion and in repentance for one's sins, in a tradition called fang sheng (releasing life). In total, the rangers discovered more than 100 dead quails. Mr Leong Tzi Ming, a senior outreach officer at the National parks Board (NParks), who was one of the rangers on patrol, believes that the quails were bought from a quail farm here. With the approach of Vesak Day on May 23, NParks and the Public Utilities Board (PUB) will be jointly organising educaitonal and outreach activities to advise against fang sheng. These include a public exhibition at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve -- that started yesterday and will be on until Jun 6 -- and a "Park Watch" programme on May 22 and May 23 at the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. Ms Sharon Chan, assistant director of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, said: "The public's well-intentioned act of buying animlas to release them may do the animals more harm than good". This is because creatures raised in captivity are unable to fend for themselves when thrust into the wild suddenly. NParks estimated that about 90% of all released animals die within a day. The indiscriminate release of animals is also discouraged by the Singapore Buddhist Federation, said a spokesman. Mr Ashley Ng, a regular volunteer at the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, will be helping at the Vesak Day "Park Watch"; which last year persuaded about 50 individuals and groups not to release animals. He said, "Most people are just unaware of the negative effects of fang sheng. They will understand if we explain it to them nicely. We just don't wish to see any more mass graves in our reserves." NParks Media Statement, 10 May 05 Do not release animals into nature reserves & reservoirs With the approaching Vesak Day, the National Parks Board (NParks) and the Public Utilities Board (PUB) are jointly conducting educational and outreach activities to advise the public not to release animals into the nature reserves and reservoirs. These include a free public exhibition, distribution of brochures and educational exercises with support from volunteers and nature groups. The exhibition is held at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve from 10 May to 6 June (8am to 6pm). Ms. Sharon Chan, Assistant Director of Central Nature Reserve explained, “The public’s well-intentioned act of buying animals to release them may do the animals more harm than good. More often than not, captive-bred animals released into new and strange environments will become stressed. For animals released into the nature reserves, most of them will not survive well as they do not have the natural instinct and capability to forage for food or even fend for themselves. Eventually, they may die of hunger or predation. Most of these animals are also non-native species to Singapore. In releasing them into the nature reserves, they affect the natural and local flora and fauna species in the ecosystem in terms of food, disease and habitat displacement.” Similarly, non-native animals released into the reservoirs will cause an ecological imbalance. "Exotic fishes such as the luohan are carnivorous and may prey upon the native fishes, thus upsetting the ecological system. We understand the good intentions behind the compassionate act of wanting to release fishes and terrapins back into nature. However, it is very important to highlight that these animals either cannot survive in the new environment or affect the well-being of the original inhabitants, " said Mr. Goh Chong Hoon, Deputy Director, 3P Network Department. Ms. Chan added, “Together with PUB, NParks will be working with our community of volunteers and nature groups to advise the public and potential releasers on why they should not release animals into the nature reserves and reservoirs. We urge the public to play their part in helping the animals and our environment, and not release animals into the nature reserves and reservoirs.” Mr. Ashley Ng, a regular volunteer at Central Nature Reserve, commented, “The volunteers and nature groups are collaborating closely with NParks and PUB on this educational effort. But it is only when everyone plays their part that, together, we can conserve our natural heritage.” links Ashley's email about volunteer efforts to stop release of animals. Releasing animals: good or bad? a pamphlet used during efforts to educate people NOT to release animals particularly during Vesak Day. Global Invasive Species Database of the IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group: introduction to the issue, top 100 worst invasive species and more. Invasive species weblog updated reports around the world on the impact of alien introduced species. Invasive species on the Conservation Science Institute: an introduction to this global problem with brief descriptions of major species. Related articles on Singapore: animal release into our wild places impact, issues, efforts, discussions |
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