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.
3 Responses
I’m surprised crow-culling still takes place here. I have not seen a single crow – not even one – in the past 3 years, in the 2 different locations I lived (I moved once, from southeast/central to east). I haven’t heard a crow’s call since 2008 in fact, maybe earlier even. On the other hand, no matter where in Singapore I go, I see mynas. They are literally everywhere. As long as I go out, I will see at least one myna. I feel very sorry for the crows. I am aware of the problems associated with high populations of them, but I can’t help but feel we have overdone it with regards to curbing their numbers.
The crow population in the area around my estate has increased significantly since I moved in in 2010. There is a crow’s nest in a tree outside my window which is used yearly by the crows. On some mornings, I can see 30 crows just sitting on the rooftop opposite my window.
Hi Merissa – you have an opportunity to monitor the crow’s nest to see whether the Koel has taken over it and dumped the crow’s eggs out of the nest after laying her own egg. Koel routinely hijack crow’s nests and the crows will feed the koel’s chick once hatched, not realising that it is not theirs. These will be valuable information that can be posted on this website. If you can see the inside of the nest from your window, photograph the eggs and subsequent hatching…