3 otters eat 1 fish at Punggol Waterway: 'Sharing is caring'

Punggol appears to be teeming with wildlife these days.

A few months ago, a Stomper spotted a monitor lizard with a turtle shell at Punggol Park.

Last month, a cyclist was knocked off his bike by a wild boar along a park connector near Punggol Promenade Nature Walk and suffered multiple fractures.

Fortunately, the latest animal encounter is less unpleasant.

Stomper Ho Yi spotted a trio of otters at Punggol Waterway on Sunday (Dec 4) at 2.20pm.

"They are having a big feast," said the Stomper.

The videos that the Stomper shared show the animals in the water tearing into a fish.

"Three otters sharing one big fish," said the Stomper. "Sharing is caring!"

Let's hope the fish is not from someone's koi pond.

The National Parks Board (NParks) lists the otters as critically endangered in Singapore on its website, and they are protected under the Wildlife (Protected Wildlife Species) Rules 2020, a schedule under the Wildlife Act.

Here is what to do when encountering the animal:

• DO NOT touch, chase or corner the otters. Observe them from a distance. Going too close to the otters may frighten them.
• DO NOT talk loudly and do not use flash photography. Noise and light may scare and provoke the otters.
• DO NOT feed the otters. The otters have their own food in the environment and their natural eating habits keep the ecosystem healthy.
• DO NOT litter or leave sharp objects in the water. Clean and safe waterways filled with fish and aquatic life make good habitats for the otters to frolic and feed in.
• DO keep your dog on a tight leash. Your dog might chase the otters and frighten them, and keeping your dog on a tight leash will help to keep it safe.