Q : Hang on, What's going on here?
A : a whole lot of good loving.
(c) Jeffrey Teo, 02Jan2014
JT, a frequent visitor to the SBWR was at the main bridge at about 5.30pm when he spotted the resident no-tail crocodile. There was a smaller croc beside it. Soon the two crocs got really close ... and the smaller croc mounted the bigger no-tail. The mating went on for about 20 mins much to the delight of the few photographers at the bridge at the time.
Because the no-tail croc (let's call it 'half-a-croc') was below the other croc, it would seem logical that half-a-croc was female and that the croc on top was male.
(Update : on a subsequent day, a friend had seen half-a-croc on top of another croc....so the issue as to whether half-a-croc is male or female is far from settled.)
Let's hope the crocs do successfully have a brood of young ones to perpetuate the lineage of Sungei Buloh estuarine crocodiles. This will ensure that visitors can continue to appreciate the crocodiles in their natural element.
Estuarine Crocodiles are listed as 'Critically Endangered' in the Singapore Red List of Threatened Animals. Despite all the development along Singapore's coastal regions, it is a welcome sight to see estuarine crocodiles surviving at Sungei Buloh.
Find out more about the fabulous estuarine crocodile :
http://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/lizards/estuarine_crocodile.htm
the IUCN crocodile specialist group http://iucncsg.org/
Here's what the SBWR says about meeting a croc (listen up coz it is good advice) :
Advice on crocodiles
Estuarine crocodiles are known to inhabit the waters of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. These are wild animals and they have a reputation for being aggressive.
Visitors are strongly advised to stay on visitor routes and not venture off the paths. On occasion, the crocodiles have been spotted basking on the visitor routes. Should visitors encounter a crocodile on the path, they should stay calm and back away slowly. Do not provoke the animal. Staff are present to help visitors should they need any assistance – please call the information counter at Tel: 6794 1401. Under no circumstances should visitors approach a crocodile. As with all wild animals, crocodiles should be treated with caution.
Crocodile warning signs have been posted at various parts of the Reserve
where they are most often spotted. Visitors are advised to heed these signs
for their own safety.
where they are most often spotted. Visitors are advised to heed these signs
for their own safety.
Visitors with feedback and suggestions can write to info@sbwr.org.sg or call our Information Counter at 6794 1401. They can report crocodile sightings taking note of the location, date, time and number of crocodiles seen. The information will help the Reserve further monitor and track the crocodiles’ movements.
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Are there any persistent threats to the crocodiles?
Yes, fishermen who continue to poach in the waters of the Sungei Buloh reserve pose a persistent risk to the animals of the reserve such as the otters and the crocodiles. These fishermen use long driftnets to cordon off long stretches of the coastline and this results in unintended bycatch such as rare birds and even crocodiles. These poaching fishermen set up camp at the nearby Kranji Reservoir Park and have been engaging in long term sale of fish caught from the surrounding waters. These unlicensed commercial fishermen have taken up residence at the park. Enforcement action should be stepped up against these fishermen who continue to pose a significant risk to the animals entering or leaving the reserves.
Baby crocodiles would also be at risk of being eaten by larger animals such as larger crocodiles, monitor lizards, otters and even large shore birds such as herons and milky storks. Croc eggs may also be eaten by monitor lizards raiding the nest. The crocodiles are just one part of the whole ecosystem. It is fabulous that Singapore has the crocs!!
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