Make Singapore Safe for Our Wild Animals

Poaching is the illegal taking of wild animals from their natural habitat. In Singapore, the animals most commonly being poached appear to be birds for the pet trade (such as spotted doves, zebra doves, bulbuls and shamas), and also monitor lizards, and wild boars for their meat. Some other types of animals, such as macaques or squirrels, may be taken from the wild by some people to be kept as pets. Poaching can occur in any of Singapore’s green areas, including nature reserves and parks. Poaching activities have also been documented in areas around HDB flats and natural areas just outside the city. Poachers trap animals using different types of equipment, including snares, traps, cages and nets.

Types of snares/traps/cages/nettings used

Unfortunately the sale of traps in Singapore is not prohibited. ACRES has been advocating against the sale of traps at our local pet shops. You may refer to our recent report.

For information on the online bird trade in Singapore, you may refer to the recent report here.

Removal of most species of wild animals from the wild in any areas is against the law in Singapore under the Wildlife Act. Additionally, wild animals in national parks and nature reserves get extra protection under the Parks and Trees Act 2005, which prohibits the poaching of any animals in these areas.

If you spot any traps, snares and nets, these are a sure sign that poaching is taking place. These may be positioned on the ground or hanging from the branches of trees. You may even find trapped animals. You might also hear a high volume of bird calls in a particular spot, which can be coming from trapped birds. Bird poachers are most likely to be active in the mornings and evenings, as this is when birds are most active. You can see some of the traps that poachers use in the following photographs:

Take photographs and, if possible, video evidence of the traps, any animals caught in the traps, and the poachers themselves. If the poachers are using a vehicle, note the license plate number and take a photograph of it.

If you are sure that you are inside a protected area, such as a national park or nature reserve, alert the Nparks (National Parks Board) rangers immediately by calling their Hotline 1800 476 1600. If you are not inside a park or reserve or are unsure, you can contact our 24-hour ACRES wildlife rescue and crime hotline at 97837782 or contact NParks: 1800 476 1600. Clearly state to the authorities that it is an ongoing crime and whether you are able to wait for someone to arrive.

Ensure your safety and try to not let the poachers leave and take their traps. If a wild animal gets trapped during your observation, please try to capture it on video. If they do leave but leave their traps behind, stay with the traps until the authorities come and remove them. If you must leave, please email the details to crime@acres.org.sg 

In an effort to assist the authorities with clamping down on illegal poaching activities, ACRES keeps records of poaching activities in Singapore.
Please forward your evidence of poaching activities to us at the following email address: crime@acres.org.sg for documentation purposes.

Wildlife Act

Section 5(C)

(1a) in the case where the offence is committed in respect of a protected wildlife to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both; and
(1b) (i) where the person commits the offence in the course of carrying on, or employment or purported employment with, an animal‑related business, to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both; and

(1b) (ii) in any other case —
(A) for a first offence, to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both; and
(B) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.

Other offences for setting of spring guns, snare trap or other device that is likely to endanger human life or cause grievous hurt to any individual, please visit the Singapore Statutes Online for Wildlife Act and Parks and Trees Act.

8. A person who —

• (a) kills or takes or has in his possession the body of any wild animal or bird killed or taken in contravention of an order made under section 3 (a);
• (b) takes, destroys or has in his possession the eggs of any wild bird during the time of the year which has been declared under section 3 (a) to be the time during which such a bird shall not be killed, or during the breeding season declared under section 3 (b) in respect of such a bird;
• (c) kills or takes any wild animal or bird, the killing or taking of which is prohibited under the provisions of this Act;
• (d) nets, snares or takes by means of any contrivance any wild animal or bird which has been prohibited under section 3 (d) from netting, snaring or taking by means of any contrivance; or
• (e) exposes or offers for sale or exports any wild animal or bird other than those specified in the Schedule or the skin or plumage of any such wild animal or bird, unless he can show that the animal or bird was lawfully killed or taken, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and to the forfeiture of the wild animal or bird.

9. Any person who sets, places or prepares or causes to be set, placed or prepared any spring gun, engine, pitfall, sharpened stake or other contrivance likely to endanger human life or inflict grievous hurt, except for the purpose of destroying some noxious wild animal with the written permission of the Director-General or the Commissioner of Police, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

Under the Parks and Trees Act:

9.—(1) No person shall, except with the approval of the Commissioner granted under section 12 and in accordance with the terms and conditions of such approval, carry out any of the following activities within any national park or nature reserve:

• (a) capture, displace or feed any animal;
• (b) disturb or take the nest of any animal;
• (c) collect, remove or wilfully displace any other organism;
• (d) use any animal, firearm, explosive, net, trap, hunting device or instrument or means whatever for the purpose of capturing any animal; or
• (e) carry or have in the person’s possession any explosive, net, trap or hunting device.

(2) No person shall carry out any activity within any national park or nature reserve which he knows or ought reasonably to know causes or may cause injury to, or the death of, any animal or any other organism within the national park or nature reserve. (3) No person shall, except with the approval of the Commissioner granted under section 12, and in accordance with the terms and conditions of such approval —

• (a) bring or release or cause any animal to be brought or released into a nature reserve; or
• (b) permit any domestic animal to stray into a nature reserve.

(4) Any person who contravenes subsection (1), (2) or (3) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine of $500 for every day or part thereof during which the offence continues after conviction.