If you come across a native wild animal in Singapore please, in most instances, leave him/her where he/she is. As a city island, these animals have learnt to adapt in the urban environment. As a result, we tend to see them often. Removing wild animals from their natural habitat is a criminal offence for the majority of species in Singapore.

Before you proceed to read below, please visit this Covid-19 updates to our Wildlife Rescue efforts: 
https://www.facebook.com/ACRESasia/posts/10157569907546523


If you find a wild animal who is obviously in distress or severely injured, you can call the ACRES Wildlife Rescue Hotline on 97837782 using these pointers:

          • Describe the animal to the rescue officer (Type of animal, size, colour, markings/distinct features)
          • Describe any injuries
          • Let them know if any other animals are near by
          • Send a text message of the animal’s photo to 9783 7782 (You can WhatsApp us too)

            The following are useful guidelines to follow if you are concerned about a wild animal:

When does an animal need rescuing?

  1. When the animal’s parent(s) are known to be dead (young, unweaned animals).
  2. When the animal is thin, cold, weak or appears sick.
  3. When the animal is injured.
  4. When there are flies buzzing around or crawling on the animal.
  5. When the animal is in obvious danger.
  6. When the animal has been in the mouth of a cat.
  7. When a bird’s nest containing chicks has fallen out of a tree and cannot be put back (however if you do find a nest on the ground, if possible put it back into the nearest tree without touching the chicks).

When NOT to rescue.

              1. When you would endanger yourself or others.
              2. When the animal appears healthy (adult and young animals).
              3. When one or both parents remain alive or are probably still alive (young animals).
              4. When the injury is old and the animal appears in good health.
              5. When you have to chase the animal (try again later and call ACRES for assistance-do not stress the animal).

Call the ACRES Wildlife Rescue Hotline for advice on 97837782. The ACRES Wildlife Rescue Team will be dispatched to come and rescue the animal.

If the animal needs immediate assistance, is in immediate danger or may escape, you can execute the rescue whilst awaiting help from ACRES to arrive as follows:

  • Where possible, we do not recommend picking animals up with your hands, even wearing gloves. If an animal is severely injured or immobile, simply place a container over the top of him/her. Then slide the lid or a thin board underneath, then gently turn the container so the animal ends up in the bottom and then cap it. Make sure there are breathing holes in it.
  • Treat for mild shock.
    1. Keep the animal WARM (80-85 degrees; 90 degrees for neonates).
    2. Keep the animal in a QUIET environment.
    3. Keep the animal in a DARK container.

If you come across a wild animal in critical condition and wish to immediately take him or her to the ACRES Wildlife Rescue Centre or a nearby veterinarian please follow the following guidelines:

  1. DON’T play the radio when transporting an animal.
  2. DON’T put the animal in the back of a pick-up truck.
  3. DON’T put an unconscious animal on the seat of your car or leave him/her uncontained in your car. ALWAYS contain him/her.
  4. Use air conditioner sparingly, if at all. Animals in shock cannot regulate their body temperature. A temperature that is too cool could place them in an irreversible shock condition.
  5. If others are with you, speak in a low voice. Try to keep conversation to a minimum.

Abandoned exotic animals

Exotic wild animals who are illegally sold and kept as pets in Singapore are often found abandoned in parks and nature reserves, discarded by owners who no longer wish to take care of them. These animals often cannot survive in Singapore’s environment and may slowly starve to death or succumb to disease. If they do survive, they will compete with our native wild animals for resources and unbalance the delicate balance of our natural ecosystems, possibly even wiping out native wild animal populations.

If you find a non-native wild animal in Singapore please call the ACRES Wildlife Rescue Hotline 97837782 and we will dispatch our rescue team immediately to come and rescue the animal.

Unfortunately, due to space constraints, we cannot take in abandoned red-eared sliders at the AWRC, as it is not illegal to keep them as pets in Singapore and they are not a native species. The AWRC is only licensed for abandoned or surrendered exotic reptiles and amphibians who were being illegally kept as pets in Singapore, or for native species.

Wildlife Rescue FAQs

What animals does ACRES rescue?

ACRES rescues any wild animals in need of help in Singapore. This includes native wild animals (such as pythons, monitor lizards, civets and pangolins) and also exotic animals who have been illegally brought into Singapore to be illegally sold as pets, who may be handed over to us by their owners, or may be found abandoned.

At the ACRES Wildlife Rescue Centre (AWRC) we can, at this stage, house rescued reptiles and amphibians only.

What happens to the animals that you rescue?

For native wild animals, if they pass their health checks they will be released back into the wild, at a suitable site, straight away. If a native reptile or amphibian needs treatment and some time to recover before being released back to the wild, we will bring them to the AWRC for treatment and for a recovery period in the Wildlife Recovery and Rehabilitation Centre.

If a rescued native mammal or bird cannot be returned straight to the wild, we will provide veterinary treatment and then hand them over to the AVA.

For reptiles and amphibians rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, these animals will have a safe home at the AWRC for as long as they need it, and we will do our best to repatriate them to rescue centres in their country of origin.

What do I do if I find a wild animal in need of help?

Call the ACRES Wildlife Rescue Hotline on 97837782 for advice and assistance. There will be someone to take your call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Call the ACRES Wildlife Rescue Hotline on 97837782 for advice and assistance. There will be someone to take your call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Yes, you can bring the animal to the AWRC (91 Jalan Lekar, Singapore 698917) or, if you are unable to come here yourself, we can come and collect the animal from you. For more details please call the ACRES Wildlife Rescue Hotline on 97837782.

I have a red eared slider that I no longer want to keep - can I hand him over to ACRES even though it is not illegal to keep them?

ACRES does not take in red-eared sliders at the AWRC as we need to keep the space we have at the Wildlife Recovery and Rehabilitation Centre for rescued exotic animals that are illegal to be kept as pets in Singapore and also for native animals in need of help.

If you really cannot keep your red eared slider as a pet anymore it is important that you find a proper, secure home for him.

Please do not release your red-eared slider into a park or nature reserve- not only is this against the law, but he or she may well die a slow, painful death if he cannot find food or a safe place to live. If he does survive, his presence will unbalance Singapore’s delicate ecosystem and his competing for food will push our native turtles and other wild animals towards extinction.

Do I have to pay for ACRES to come and remove a wild animal from my home or garden?

We do not charge to come and remove wild animals from your home, although donations are always much appreciated and allow us to continue and expand our wildlife rescue efforts.

Can I visit the animals at the AWRC?

Yes, you can visit the animals at the AWRC. Please make an appointment with us by emailing us at info@acres.org.sg. Do also note that tours are only done on Mondays to Fridays, and from 930am – 5pm. We also have a range of educational programmes on offer at the AWRC for schools, community groups, or anyone who would like to learn more about wildlife protection.

Can I volunteer to help look after the rescued animals at the AWRC?

Yes, we have a special “Wildlife Sanctuary Volunteer” programme for people aged over 14, which includes opportunities to assist with animal care at the AWRC. This involves a compulsory training course, and you must also have various vaccinations before you can work with the animals. You can sign up for this programme here, or email Gretchen at gretchen@acres.org.sg for more details.

Can we adopt animals from the AWRC and keep them as pets?

You cannot adopt any of the animals from the AWRC and take them home with you, as they are either exotic animals that are illegal to keep as pets in Singapore, or native wild animals who need to be returned to the wild. ACRES is also strongly against the keeping of wild animals as pets on welfare grounds.

However, you are very welcome to sponsor an animal at the AWRC, perhaps paying for his or her food, their medical care, making their enclosure a comfortable home and more, through our Animal Supporter Scheme. For more details please call our office at 68929821, or drop a mail toinfo@acres.org.sg.

How can we support the wildlife rescue work of ACRES?

We are always in need of funds to keep our rescue services going.

You can support our wildlife rescue work through our Animal Supporter Scheme.

Our wildlife rescue service operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Right now, we are being called to rescue as many as 30 animals every month.

It costs us anywhere from SGD$80 to SGD$500 to rescue a tortoise, pangolin, monitor lizard or other wild animal and release him or her back into the wild. This includes the cost of a medical check-up, a microchip implant, medication, treatment, equipment, manpower and transportation. The costs are much higher for injured creatures who need long-term care and nursing before they are well enough to be released.

Not only are funds needed to keep the AWRC running (which means regularly restocking supplies of everything from food and substrate to diesel and disinfectant), we also need to upgrade our medical equipment. You may also be keen to take a look at our Wishlist, as donations in kind are also welcome, and will greatly offset our expenses.