The Otters of Singapore — and Other Unexpected Wildlife Thriving in Cities | Philip Johns | TED

Summary

The speaker recounts their initial fascination with Singapore's blend of modern architecture and rich biodiversity, from skyscrapers to tropical rainforest creatures. They share experiences with wildlife, including a king cobra vs. python fight and an encounter with an otter family that sparked public interest. The return of otters post-waterway cleanup is highlighted, along with insights into their social dynamics and behaviors, such as play and hunting, revealed through observations by dedicated 'otter watchers.' The talk concludes with a reflection on Singapore's efforts to integrate nature into urban life, posing the question of whether cities can become wildlife refuges.

Takeaways

• 🏙️ Singapore is a modern city with a rich biodiversity, including tropical rainforests and various wildlife.
• 🐍 The speaker experienced a unique wildlife encounter with a king cobra and a reticulated python at NTU.
• 🦜 A wild parakeet landing on the speaker's shoulder symbolized the close connection between nature and the city.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The Bisuhan family of otters became a social media sensation, reflecting the public's fascination with local wildlife.
• 📈 Singapore's otters returned after a period of absence due to industrial pollution, highlighting the impact of environmental policies.
• 🐟 Otters in Singapore have adapted to urban life, using communal latrine sites and hunting in unique ways.
• 👶 Pups play a significant role in the otter community, influencing adult behavior and learning through play.
• 🐊 Otters are more likely to be aggressive towards monitor lizards when pups are present, indicating protective instincts.
• 📸 Otter Watchers contribute valuable observations and photographs, aiding in the study of these animals.
• 🌳 Singapore's commitment to green spaces and clean waterways has fostered a closer relationship between people and nature.
• 🏙️ The concept of Singapore as a 'city in nature' suggests a potential model for urban wildlife conservation.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial impression of Singapore?

The speaker found Singapore magical, with its clean, bright, and well-run cityscape featuring tall skyscrapers amidst remnants of tropical rainforests.

What kind of wildlife did the speaker encounter in Singapore?

The speaker encountered a variety of wildlife including Sunbirds, hornbills, kugors, Sumatran flying dragons, Paradise tree snakes, king cobras, reticulated pythons, and parakeets.

Why did the speaker decide to rent a certain flat?

A wild parakeet flew and landed on the speaker's shoulder when they were on the balcony of the flat, which was a magical moment that convinced the speaker to rent the place.

What was special about the otters in Singapore that the speaker mentioned?

The otters in Singapore were special because they had returned after a long absence due to the city's successful policies in cleaning up the waterways, making them a symbol of the city's environmental recovery.

How do adult otters in Singapore differ from the pups in terms of play behavior?

Adult otters tend to maintain a dominant position during play, whereas pups frequently switch roles, indicating that play serves different functions for learning and social positioning between the two age groups.

What role do the adult offspring play in an otter family in Singapore?

In Singapore, adult offspring often stay with the family as helpers, which is unusual among mammals, contributing to the large family sizes that can exceed 20 individuals.

Why are otters more likely to attack monitor lizards under certain conditions?

Otters are more likely to attack monitor lizards when pups are around, especially if there are more pups than adults in the group, indicating that aggression is primarily a defensive behavior to protect the young.

How do otters teach their pups to hunt?

Otters teach their pups to hunt by actively changing their behavior to catch very small fish, a method known as hering or coring, which allows the pups to learn by observing and participating.

What is the significance of the otter Watchers in Singapore?

Otter Watchers play a crucial role in observing and documenting the behavior of otters, contributing valuable data that helps researchers understand these animals better. They are also a testament to the personal connections people form with wildlife.

What steps has Singapore taken to foster a connection between its citizens and nature?

Singapore has enacted policies to clean up waterways, plant over a million trees, and create numerous parks and nature reserves, ensuring that no one is more than 10 minutes away from a park, thereby facilitating interaction with nature.

What is the new motto of Singapore's Parks and what does it signify?

The new motto is 'Singapore as a city in nature,' signifying a shift in perspective to embrace nature as an integral part of the city, rather than something separate.