Singapore is one of the safest places on earth to get services rendered because you need permits for everything.
Want to sell cai png? Get certified in handling cooked food.
Want to fix circuit breakers? Download the TraceTogether app and get an electrician’s license.
Almost everything important here in Singapore requires one to have a permit, and capturing wildlife (including snakes) is no different.
The Wildlife Act
In 2020, the Singapore government introduced the Wildlife Act to strengthen the protection, preservation and management of wildlife in Singapore.
Under the new act, the action of trapping and taking of wildlife in Singapore requires the approval of NPark’s director-general of wildlife management.
Basically, this means that if you see a python in the drain at the bus stop, pest control companies cannot send people there to remove it.
Any companies which fail to comply with the new act face harsh penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
3 Pest Control Companies Fined
According to the Straits Times, three pest control companies were fined for handling wildlife in Singapore without permits.
They were reportedly fined up to S$600 for trapping and releasing the reptiles without required approvals.
The only species exempted are those listed on the exemption list here.
Wildlife traps must be constantly monitored to ensure that it does not affect public and personnel safety and ensure animal well-being.
All wildlife caught must be handed over to NParks.
The capture and relocation of wildlife like pythons have been shown to negatively affect the health and ecology of wild reptiles.
Training Required
Even though the Wildlife Act came into effect in 2020, the government gave pest control companies a transition period where they had until Dec 2020 to send their people for training and apply for permits.
At least one individual in the company must have completed the “relevant animal management training courses” in order for it to engage in wildlife management, effective Jan 2021.
NParks introduced its animal management professional certification in Aug 2020 to train up workers in the animal management industry.
This way, workers are trained to ensure public and their own safety, as well as the well-being of the animal, when carrying out their duties.
Don’t See Them As Pests
Experts in Singapore are calling on its people not to see the wildlife animals as pests.
“Singapore’s native wildlife includes reptiles, and should be respected just as people do otters and pangolins.”
Instead, think of them as part of nature, something to live alongside with.
In fact, some of these pests are a form of “biological pest control”, such as the reticulated pythons which feed on rats.
On a separate note, if you see wildlife, make sure not to approach or panic. Instead, appreciate their awesomeness from a distance, yeah?
Click here to read NPark’s recommendations on what to do when you meet with specific animals.
Feature Image: EQRoy / Shutterstock.com (Image for illustration purpose only)
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