The carcass of a male adult otter found along Kranji Dam on Jan. 25, 2015 by a member of the public has been handed over to the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, where more will be learnt about its life and death.

This is a positive step forward as it will help deepen the understanding of how animals deal in urban Singapore conditions.

Last April, there was a bit of a hoo-ha after the 400kg carcass of a crocodile believed to have been illegally poached at Kranju Reservoir and died from its injuries, went missing without a trace.

Members of the public queried then why the dead crocodile was not handed over to the natural history museum to study its cause of death but sent to be disposed of at a local farm, given that animals that big don't perish easily.

However, the mystery deepened when it was revealed later that Long Kuan Hung Crocodile Farm, the only crocodile farm in Singapore, did not receive the carcass for disposal.

Not mush is known about what happened after that.

Regardless, if you see any animal carcasses from now on, please contact the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum at +65 6516 5082, or contact OtterWatch Facebook page with information on the species, exact location and condition of the animal, which will aid retrieval.

One reason is because wildlife appears to be returning to Singapore the last few years, which means more will wind up dead here.

Otter sightings, for example, have increased the last few years, with many families putting down their roots at Gardens By The Bay, Marina Barrage, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

Just recently, a large group of 14 otters believed to consist of the older litter and the current younger litter of offspring were spotted at Pulau Ubin.

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Photos by Foo Maosheng

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