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'Nothing special': Residents near Pandan Reservoir shrug off crocodile sighting
🇸🇬 Singapore /Environment & Climate

'Nothing special': Residents near Pandan Reservoir shrug off crocodile sighting

From CNA · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Residents near Singapore's Pandan Reservoir expressed little concern following a crocodile sighting.
  • Many locals reported not seeing anything unusual and stated the sighting would not deter them from visiting the reservoir.
  • Water activities have been suspended as authorities conduct search and capture operations for the estuarine crocodile.

A crocodile sighting at Singapore's Pandan Reservoir has elicited a largely nonchalant response from nearby residents. Retiree Mr. Ng, 70, who visited the reservoir after hearing the news, found no sign of the creature. "Only one crocodile, but scared until like that," he remarked in Mandarin, referring to the suspension of water activities.

Only one crocodile, but scared until like that.

— Mr NgA retiree commented on the suspension of water activities after hearing about the crocodile sighting.

Another retiree, Andrew, who walked around the reservoir on Thursday evening, said everything appeared normal. "Some people were just walking and some sitting around. As per normal, nothing extra," he stated, only learning about the sighting later from a friend. He added that the crocodile being in the water would not stop him from visiting, quipping, "I won't go in the water. If let's say it's on land, I can run faster than the crocodile."

Some people were just walking and some sitting around. As per normal, nothing extra.

— AndrewAnother retiree described the scene at the reservoir on Thursday evening before learning about the crocodile sighting.

When CNA visited on Friday, the reservoir park was quiet, with only a few foreign workers resting. The Paddle Lodge, run by the Singapore Canoe Federation, was also still. No warning signs or cordoned-off areas were visible along the reservoir's perimeter. Mr. Mohd Shairunizam, 45, a regular visitor, noted that while monitor lizards are common, a crocodile sighting is new. He admitted he would be "kind of wary" when running along the bank.

Nothing special ... It's in the water. I won’t go in the water. If let’s say it’s on land, I can run faster than the crocodile.

— AndrewA retiree expressed his lack of concern about the crocodile sighting, stating it would not prevent him from visiting the reservoir.

National water agency PUB confirmed it was alerted to the sighting on Thursday afternoon and has been working with the National Parks Board on search and capture operations. Water activities, including those organized by the Singapore Rowing Association and Singapore Canoe Federation, have been suspended. PUB indicated the crocodile is likely an estuarine crocodile, based on a photograph.

The common one is the monitor lizard. Sometimes when they swim, looks like a crocodile. But if you go closer, actually it's a monitor lizard. But for this crocodile sighting, I think it's a new thing.

— Mr Mohd ShairunizamA local resident compared the crocodile sighting to the more common monitor lizards found at the reservoir.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNA. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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