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

TED
26 Sept 202413:57

Summary

TLDRThe 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.

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Related Tags
Singapore WildlifeUrban BiodiversityOtter FamiliesEco-ConservationNature in CitiesWildlife RefugeEnvironmental PoliciesCitizen ScienceWildlife WatchingConservation Success