Warning on keeping AND releasing alien species

**valice** · 12th Jan 2006, 11:36

Write to the ST Forum and let people know the existence of a snapper in the reservoir?

**Justikanz** · 12th Jan 2006, 11:39

I feel like writing to the forum to tell them what world class education has produced!

Unless we see the snapper, we can't really write to ST and claim there is one, can't we?...

AVA should have issued warnings...

**hwchoy** · 12th Jan 2006, 11:45

let's not drag in irrelevant things like education, the system, etc etc etc. like I said somewhere in this forum, there is nothing wrong with the system. statistically there will always be some sub-par genes, just hope they don't become the majority.

**michael lai** · 13th Jan 2006, 08:54

Originally Posted by Justikanz

It really goes to show our emphasis on the economy over environment is really churning out people who take nature for granted.

And our emphasis on good education had gone down the drain... Tsk tsk tsk...

Parents pamper their kids too much and they churn out to be Highly-educated, technically-inclined, foul-speaking, environmental-unfriendly, selfish fools... *Sigh* And how many of them will turn up to be the country's leaders later? *Sigh*...

Actually, Mike, the reserviors look beautiful... That's the reason why many people do not care what is going on in/under the water... They can't see what's going on under the water and won't care... Till some monster bite/hurt/kill someone... Then they will go 'Kill it. Kill them!'... *Sigh*...

Hi Thomas,
I understand how you feel but on a softer note, it takes time brother to change what has been done. Education is the way to go, they got to start from young. We got to spread the word, to anybody whose reading this. I ain't a extremist or idealist but someone who cares about our eco culture dearly. Alone I can only do so much....

**budak** · 13th Jan 2006, 09:10

Personally, I see great discrepancies in young people (defined as folks not as ancient as my duck). There is actually a pretty significant number of youths who are active in ecological causes, conservation and advocacy: e.g. those featured here. The drawback (at least in Public Relations terms) is that many are so immersed and occupied with field work (which is very taxing and time consuming) and other tasks that there is little time for them to share with others of their passion. Also, these folks tend not to be the 'partying and shopping' types, so they are not so 'visible'. Just because we see a large number of apathetic and materialistic young people hanging out in the shopping arcades and entertainment outlets doesn't mean that they necessarily constitute a majority. Many others could be elsewhere, studying, researching, teaching, nature-guiding etc...

What is saddening though is the apparent alienation from nature that some young people show: firstly in terms of a total ignorance of ecological issues and native habitats and biodiversity. The other facet is a kind of aversion to nature that seems to be caused by both upbringing and personal values. The fear of harmless animals such as cats, butterflies and chickens exhibited by some children is one example. I also see a readiness in some kids to attack (by throwing stones etc) small animals such as birds and lizards (sometimes with the parent totally bo-chup).

Somebody I know also told of an experience where she went to the nature photography exhibit at Wheelock Place with a 16-year-old friend, who would scream if a pigeon lands close to her and found a photo of a bird with its chicks in a nest utterly disgusting. I wonder how did such mindsets come about?

On a more positive note, here are some ideas on what individuals can do to help.

**dkk08** · 13th Jan 2006, 22:34

Originally Posted by budak

I think the AVA doesn't have the manpower to monitor and act upon every single post. Probably they prioritise and take action only when a more serious case (e.g. snapping turtle) is involved.

Personally, I think there's a case to be made for legalising herp pets in Singapore (given my understanding that many species are captive-bred), but with strict regulations such as microchipping and annual licensing of all potentially invasive species (so that the owners can't abandon or 'lose' the animals). The costs of these regulations could be (more than) recouped by 'reasonable' licensing fees; after all, people are already paying black market prices to own these animals.

so totally agreed with u bro budak

**XnSdVd** · 14th Jan 2006, 10:37

It could have something to do with the fact that asians are a very security oriented people.
And well, the average "auntie" is quite ignorant of the way things work. So one would expect her to just listen when someone says "that's dirty" and not really understand why something is "dirty" or what "dirty" is for that matter.
Which sadly translates into her bringing up her kids and telling them not to touch "dirty" things. I guess the problem with our culture(MY problem with it anyway) is that few people bother to ask WHY. And that almost sheep-like ability to do what everyone else does without understanding.

A little story to relate:
Last year 3 days into a training exercise in Jln Murai, i came across a puppy in the forest. When i bent down to pet the little guy one of my guys actually said:

Tan:Aye! don touch! you donno what is dirty ah?
Me:What? man, we've been here for 3 bloody days, chances are the dog's cleaner than us
Tan: Na..(i get the chao ang moh lang thing blah blah so stupid cannot speak chinese blah blah) animal is dirty, people clean, you mader neber teach you ah?!

And people wonder why I hate the army

**hwchoy** · 14th Jan 2006, 10:44

Originally Posted by XnSdVd

It could have something to do with the fact that asians are a very security oriented people.
And well, the average "auntie" is quite ignorant of the way things work. So one would expect her to just listen when someone says "that's dirty" and not really understand why something is "dirty" or what "dirty" is for that matter.
Which sadly translates into her bringing up her kids and telling them not to touch "dirty" things. I guess the problem with our culture(MY problem with it anyway) is that few people bother to ask WHY. And that almost sheep-like ability to do what everyone else does without understanding.

A little story to relate:
Last year 3 days into a training exercise in Jln Murai, i came across a puppy in the forest. When i bent down to pet the little guy one of my guys actually said:

Tan:Aye! don touch! you donno what is dirty ah?
Me:What? man, we've been here for 3 bloody days, chances are the dog's cleaner than us
Tan: Na..(i get the chao ang moh lang thing blah blah so stupid cannot speak chinese blah blah) animal is dirty, people clean, you mader neber teach you ah?!

And people wonder why I hate the army

I can guarantee the army dirtier than the dog

**Weirong** · 14th Jan 2006, 11:11

Originally Posted by hwchoy

I can guarantee the army dirtier than the dog

I second that!

It is rather disheartening to see the younger folks not being able to really appreciate nature and it's conservation. Point is we are all living in a material world and all these factors doesn't seem to be the priority in mind.
As usual, one will think there's others who are also doing it, and the rest will blindly follow. And that's the reason more than half of the population in Singapore need glasses!

**ranmasatome** · 15th Jan 2006, 02:18

i want to say something about culture and mindset of some people and the conservation status in singapore.. but i wont.. cos although i can say it to you guys personally.. typing it out will only get someone from the government to come knock on my door and shove a "you are our scape goat" pole up my a$$.

so hence ... i'm quiet again..

nevertheless, what we loose in free speech and expression, we probably make up for in security..

**XnSdVd** · 15th Jan 2006, 08:54

Security is quite relative... especially when you constantly live in fear of the government... And yes, that's a pretty big exaduration but you get my point

**michael lai** · 17th Jan 2006, 22:09

Hi Guys
Just read a article on the snapper, it's more active at night and starts to hunt after dusk. Maybe some kind soul will lay a line or two...unfortunately, live bait like goldfish is preferred. Its kind of a lazy bum in the day, opening its mouth and using the tongue as bait to lure unsuspecting fish. Doesn't foray much, probably will get him within a hundred metres radius. And make the water safe to go into again

**michael lai** · 17th Jan 2006, 22:11

Originally Posted by ranmasatome

i want to say something about culture and mindset of some people and the conservation status in singapore.. but i wont.. cos although i can say it to you guys personally.. typing it out will only get someone from the government to come knock on my door and shove a "you are our scape goat" pole up my a$$.

so hence ... i'm quiet again..

nevertheless, what we loose in free speech and expression, we probably make up for in security..

Dear Ranma,
I think they are opening up quite alot nowadays. Just focus on the problem and the solutions, no pointing of fingers and I think you are relatively quite safe.
PS: I will be praying for you.

**nostalgia** · 24th Jan 2006, 00:16

I think the snapper turtle is scary... and the 3 ft catfish is funny hahahahaha
I guess ppl should only release fishes to man made ponds. Maybe HDB estates can built ponds for senior citizens to go to! And they can feed bread to the released fishes!

**XnSdVd** · 24th Jan 2006, 14:28

That'd be a pretty good idea... at least people won't release them in the forest streams and such...

Thread: Warning on keeping AND releasing alien species

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