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Milky Stork interacting with Malayan Water Monitor

on 21st December 2010

William Ip was at Singapore’s Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on 12th December 2010 when he encountered a Milky Stork (Mycteria cinerea) interacting with a large Malayan Water Monitor (Varanus salvator). Initially both animals were foraging close together peacefully (above).

As the lizard moved, its tail swept the water and forced the aquatic animals to emerge from the mud. The stork moved to the tail end of the lizard where there were more pickings (above). For a while there were no problems but suddenly the lizard swiped its tail very high and lashed against the stork causing fright to the bird. The stork may have accidentally stepped on the lizard’s tail or the lizard may have been extra active with its tail. Whatever it was, things continued peacefully as the lizard moved off to shore and the stork continued feeding (below).

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.

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