Education on Wildlife Treatment for Residents of Nature-inspired Developments

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for National Development whether the Ministry will consider making it mandatory to educate prospective or current residents of "nature-inspired" developments on the appropriate response to wildlife sighted in their areas and why members of the public should not feed wildlife.

It is important to carefully manage human-wildlife interactions. In this regard, agencies like NParks and AVA are already taking active measures to do so.

First, NParks organises biodiversity programmes like the Festival of Biodiversity and Community in Nature initiatives. Taken as a whole, these programmes help to generate public awareness of, and appreciation for, our native wildlife.

Second, agencies disseminate guidelines on how residents can minimise potential human-wildlife conflict, particularly in residential districts close to nature areas. For example, the guidelines touch on proper methods of securing trash bins and keeping food out of sight. Moreover, AVA officers conduct walkabouts in areas where residents have faced issues relating to animal nuisance. AVA officers also attend meetings to address residents’ concerns in these areas.

Third, NParks conducts specific outreach activities to discourage animal feeding. These include distributing advisory pamphlets to residents, conducting workshops for school children and displaying prominent signages against wildlife feeding in parks and nature reserves.

That said, there will always be a small minority who persist in inappropriate behaviours like feeding. In these cases, a more targeted approach which may include official warnings or enforcement action is necessary.

Most residents who live close to nature areas behave very responsibly, have made adjustments and appreciate wildlife as part of their living environment. The Government will continue with its efforts to engage the broader community in public education initiatives and to work constructively to address problems related to wildlife that might arise. With tolerance, understanding and a spirit of compromise, most human-wildlife issues can be resolved.