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NewsAsia, 21 May 05 Fewer cases of animals being released into nature reserves By Ching Yi / Wong Siew Ying SINGAPORE: Every year, just days before Vesak Day, Buddhist devotees will release animals into reservoirs and nature reserves. It's a gesture that Buddhists believe symbolises compassion and kindness. But after much public education against such a practice, the number of cases has dropped to just 10 this year. That's an 80 percent decrease from the previous year, said the National Parks Board (NParks). Releasing animals into the wild could do more harm than good because up to 90 percent of them will not survive. To discourage the public from freeing animals into the nature reserves or reservoirs, NParks, along with the Public Utilities Board, has deployed some 120 volunteers to patrol the areas. Last year, the authorities spotted 50 cases over two days. But the situation seems to have improved. Sharon Chan, assistant director of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, said: "For this year, for the whole morning, we only encountered three cases. So, it's a great drop in the number of cases." "Last year.....we had three or four groups coming over to release animals, but we managed to stop them," said Goh Si Guim, a Nature Society member who volunteered to patrol the nature reserves. NParks says releasing animals into protected areas and reservoirs is against the law. Those who flout the regulation could be fined up to $10,000.- 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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