Stomper calls for a 'monitor lizard crossing' after one is killed at Braddell Road

Reports of wild animals in urban areas of Singapore are becoming commonplace.

Sometimes people get hurt, but in this case, it was the animal.

The carcass of a monitor lizard was spotted at Braddell Road on Oct 8 by Stomper Joseph.

"I caught sight of two monitor lizards near the Braddell Flyover," he said.

"The big monitor lizard was on the grass and the smaller one was killed by a vehicle and decomposing."

The Stomper added: "If there are road improvements for wildlife crossing, there should be a monitor lizard crossing as well."

Before that happens, he urged motorists to keep a lookout for monitor lizards.

In May, The Straits Times reported that a new bridge would be built across Upper Bukit Timah Road by 2026, allowing both wildlife and pedestrians to cross between the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Western Water Catchment Area via Bukit Batok Nature Park.

The new bridge follows the success of the Eco-Link@BKE, built in 2013 to reconnect the forests of the Bukit Timah and Central Catchment nature reserves.

The National Parks Board has these tips for when you encounter a monitor lizard:

• Do not be alarmed. These animals are shy and will not attack humans unless provoked or cornered.
• Do not touch, chase or corner them as they may attack in defence. You are advised to leave them alone. It is fine to observe them from afar.
• Seek medical attention immediately if (in a rare event) you are bitten. Although monitor lizards do secrete venom, it is not fatal to humans. The main cause for concern would be bacterial infection from the bite.