Civet cat joins Stomper for a walk at Alexandra Park

A Stomper had an unexpected companion while walking through Alexandra Park on Oct 18.

Stomper Naz told Stomp he was walking near a multi-storey carpark at Block 85 Dawson Rd at about 6.05am when he noticed a cat walking beside him.

"It was about two metres away from me and it was quite dark," he said.

"But I noticed it had a long straight tail and short legs and realised it was a civet cat.

"It was my first time seeing one so close.

"I stopped for a while to let it pass because I was afraid it might suddenly turn aggressive and attack for no reason."

Earlier this month, Stomp reported on another Stomper who encountered a civet cat in the heart of Tiong Bahru.

Here is what to do when you encounter a civet cat:

• Do not be alarmed. Like most wild animals, civets are shy and will stay out of sight. You are advised to leave the civets alone. It is fine to observe them from afar but do not try to corner or chase them, as that may provoke them to attack in order to protect themselves.

• Civets may eat leftover cat food that is left out in the open. If you do not want them to come to your property, please ensure that cat or dog food is kept indoors.

• If you find baby civets in your property, leave them alone and do not attempt to pick them up. If people swarm around the baby civets, this prevents the mother from picking them up and the mother may end up abandoning them. If the mother is nearby, she will respond to their cries and attend to them.

• If the civet happens to give birth in your property, leave it alone. The baby civets will start venturing out within two or three months after birth. After that, they will follow their mother to forage and will move out of your property eventually.