Singapore is often described as a “City in Nature”, and that means wildlife is part of everyday life. From parks and waterways to estates and industrial areas, it’s not unusual for people to encounter wild animals such as otters, macaques, monitor lizards, snakes, and more. When we lack understanding of wildlife, these encounters can quickly become stressful for people, and risky for animals.
Our Wild Neighbours (OWN) was established in response to these challenges.
Launched by the Urban Wildlife Working Group (UWG) as a consolidated, nationwide outreach effort, OWN promotes safe, respectful coexistence with Singapore’s native wildlife by equipping the public with clear, practical guidance for real-life situations
Why a coexistence campaign?
As our city grow and landscapes change, natural habitats for wildlife become smaller and more fragmented. In response, many native animals adapt by seeking food and shelter in urban areas, bringing people and wildlife into closer contact. Living in a biodiverse city means these encounters are a natural part of daily life, and they invite us to reflect on how we can move towards a more progressive society that values and coexists with wildlife.
Across Singapore, organisations responding to wildlife-related enquiries hear from members of the public every day. Over time, a clear pattern has emerged: many challenges around human–wildlife encounters often stem from a lack of understanding and preparedness about Singapore’s native wildlife.
Human–wildlife encounters are not simply isolated or incidental events. When misunderstood or mishandled, they can have consequences for people, animals, and the wider community. Fear, uncertainty, and a lack of accessible information can quickly escalate situations, leading to unnecessary stress, injury, or harm.
Through public outreach and accessible guidance, OWN helps people respond to everyday wildlife encounters with greater confidence, reducing unnecessary harm and supporting better outcomes for both people and animals.
A collaborative effort across Singapore’s wildlife community
OWN is a multi-stakeholder initiative, built on collaboration across partners who respond to wildlife issues, develop best-practice guidance, and engage communities.
The OWN Core Committee includes Mandai Nature, ACRES, NParks, and the Otter Working Group.
OWN also works alongside other partners in the nature and conservation community, including groups such as the Herpetological Society of Singapore, Nature Society (Singapore), Singapore Pangolin Working Group, Mandai Wildlife Group, Singapore Wildcat Action Group, Raffles’ Banded Langur Working Group, Jane Goodall Institute Singapore, NUS Toddycats, and the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum.
Coexistence is a shared challenge, not one that any single organisation can address alone. By aligning on messaging and practical guidance, organisations help the public navigate wildlife encounters more clearly, leading to better outcomes.
The campaign goals
1) Promote coexistence with Singapore’s wildlife
OWN brings coexistence messaging into everyday spaces—through community-based engagement and public education. This includes travelling roadshows and outreach activities in heartland neighbourhoods and shared living environments, designed to reach residents and migrant communities who are likely to experience wildlife encounters in their daily lives.
OWN partners have also participated in broader public platforms, such as community events and outreach sessions, to expand reach and normalise wildlife etiquette as a shared social norm across diverse communities.
2) Equip the public with knowledge of what they can do during wildlife encounters
OWN’s content is built around common, practical questions the public asks, such as:
- “What should I do if I see wildlife in my estate or workplace?”
- “How do I keep my family, pets, and the animal safe?”
- “Who should I contact if an animal is injured or trapped?”
By focusing on actionable do’s and don’ts, OWN helps reduce inappropriate responses (whether driven by fear, uncertainty, or good intentions) and encourages safer, more responsible choices during wildlife encounters.
3) Raise awareness about ongoing wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and release efforts
OWN also helps the public understand that coexistence includes what happens after an incident, especially for injured, stranded, or displaced wildlife. The campaign shares how different organisations play roles in the rescue, rehab and release ecosystem, and why appropriate reporting and responsible behaviour can make a real difference to an animal’s survival and release outcomes.
OWN resources
OWN makes practical coexistence information easy to find, share, and use.
Wildlife advisories and encounter guidance
The OWN website hosts downloadable wildlife advisories and species-focused guidance to help the public respond appropriately during wildlife encounters. These materials are designed to be clear, quick to use, and grounded in on-the-ground realities of urban wildlife in Singapore.
Translated advisories and multilingual access
To reach more communities, OWN has also launched a set of multilingual wildlife advisories, making key wildlife encounter guidance more accessible beyond English-speaking audiences in Singapore.
Resource kits
OWN provides education and communication resource kits that support wildlife education and public communication. The communication kit is designed for writers, educators, and anyone who speaks or writes about wildlife encounters, providing guidance on using accurate, responsible language that avoids unnecessary alarm and misrepresentation.
Blog posts and deeper learning
For those who want to go beyond quick advisories, OWN’s blog shares stories, reflections, and perspectives related to human-wildlife coexistence—helping readers explore why certain animals behave the way they do, how rescue systems work, and how communities can become better neighbours to wildlife.
Support and partnership
OWN is supported by Keppel in partnership with Mandai Nature, strengthening the campaign’s ability to expand outreach, develop resources, and invest in community engagement.
Learn more and get involved
OWN invites everyone to play a role in coexistence—whether that’s learning what to do during encounters, sharing advisories with family and neighbours, supporting community outreach, or simply practising wildlife etiquette in daily life.
To explore resources and species guidance, visit the OWN website at www.ourwildneighbours.sg!