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Tuas: Another wetland reclaimed

on 4th August 2007

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On 2nd April 2007, Tang Hung Bun wrote: “Many of us have been to Tuas marshland for birding (above). While the number of dragonfly species seen there is less than that in the sedge ponds in Marina, there are some really interesting species.

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“Loong Fah, Yangchen and myself paid a visit to Tuas wetland last Saturday and saw the damselfly Mortonagrion falcatum (both males and females) (left top). This species is listed as critically endangered in the forthcoming new edition of the Singapore’s Red Data Book. Another intersting species is Lestes praemorsus, which thrives in Tuas marshland, but nowhere else in Singapore (left bottom). Tuas wetland is going to be destroyed soon for the development of motocross site. It’s really very sad.

“How nice it would be if people are willing to alter their development plans in order to protect the habitat of wildlife?”

On 30th June 2007, Hung Bun again wrote: “Construction (destruction, rather) work in Tuas wetland has begun and bulldozers are already in action (below). Today, we found that the best part of the wetland, where we found the most species of dragonflies, is already gone. The number of species seen today is 13 compared to 19 we saw in a previous trip. The critically endangered Mortonagrion falcatum could not be seen at all.

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“As we were checking on the dragonflies, we noticed some orchids and pitcher plants (below: Nepenthes gracilis and habitat, top; Bromheadia, bottom left and Arundina, bottom right).

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“Tuas wetland will be converted into a motocross race course (see media reports, 13th July 2007, below). Birdlife there will be gone too. Typical species there are snipes and Red-Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus).

“I believe that Mortonagrion falcatum is now extinct on the Singapore mainland. Hopefully, it still occurs in Tekong Island.”

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Tang Hung Bun
Singapore
August 2007

(Images by Tang Hung Bun except Mortonagrion falcatum by Cheong Loong Fah.)

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

3 Responses

  1. What an incredibly tragic loss! I feel my heart breaking from your post. I too wish that others cared enough to want to protect and keep our wonderful wildlife before it is gone forever. I am sad for all who have enjoyed those wetlands in the past and for those who will never have that chance. We must push on with conservation anywhere we can even with horrific setbacks such as these.

  2. Absolutely saddened. Destroying Singapore’s very few natural heritage is absolutely a bad move. I urge those developers and related personals, this is a act of greed that is detroying our next generation’s dream. Please, give our nature a breath, and feel her pain and agony that human had done to her.

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