Crocodile spotted in waters near Yishun Dam; NParks advises public to stay clear

SINGAPORE – The public is advised to stay clear of the water’s edge near Yishun Dam, with the National Parks Board (NParks) monitoring the recent sighting of a crocodile in the waters nearby.

In a video posted on the Singapore Wildlife Sightings Facebook group on July 8, a crocodile can be seen swimming near that location. By July 9, the video had chalked up 195,000 views and the post had more than 1,200 shares.

In response to queries, NParks group director for wildlife management How Choon Beng said the board was alerted to the crocodile sighting on July 8.

He said it is likely to be an estuarine crocodile, which has been spotted in the Strait of Johor.

“We are monitoring the sighting and have placed advisory signs around the area to warn the public to stay away from the water’s edge,” he said.

The dam is located at the mouth of Sungei Seletar and separates the Johor Strait from Lower Seletar Reservoir. The area attracts kayakers and day trippers.

NParks has also advised kayaking operators and stakeholders to stay clear of the waters, Mr How added.

Estuarine crocodiles, which are also known as saltwater crocodiles, feed and rest in both brackish and freshwater areas and are usually found in the water or on mudflats away from visitor routes. They are the largest crocodile species in the world and can grow up to 7m in length.

Mr Shivaram Rasu, a scientific officer at the Herpetological Society of Singapore, a volunteer group, said saltwater crocodiles – the largest living reptile – can be found all over South Asia, South-east Asia and Oceania.

In Singapore, resident crocodiles are usually found in the north-western areas, such as the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

But they have also been spotted in Changi, Pasir Ris, Sembawang and even East Coast Park, he said.

Mr Shivaram added that saltwater crocodiles frequently venture out to sea and travel along the coastline and between islands.

“These are typically transient individuals which do not remain in one area for extended periods of time,” he said, adding that the one seen near Yishun Dam may be one such crocodile.

“Yishun Dam is a popular location with a significant amount of human traffic,” he said. “The presence of a large crocodile undeniably poses a safety risk to anyone who strays near the water’s edge, as well as those who engage in water sports in the vicinity, such as kayaking.”

In October 2023, a crocodile spotted at a beach in Marina East Drive was put to sleep due to concerns over public safety, given its proximity to East Coast Park. The culling of the reptile drew a strong reaction from animal conservation and welfare groups and sparked a fierce debate online.

Members of the public are reminded to take their own safety precautions when engaging in open-water activities, NParks said on its website. Warning signs and notices have been posted in areas where crocodiles are most often seen, and visitors should heed signs not to venture off the designated paths.

When encountering a crocodile, members of the public should stay calm and back away. They should not approach, provoke or feed the animal. They may also contact NParks on 1800-476-1600 to report any encounters.

This article was originally published on The Straits Times Online News. Its inclusion on this website is solely for education purposes.