S’pore photographer, founder of wildlife-spotting group with over 25,000 members, dies aged 60

Local photographer Jeremiah Loei passed away on Feb. 17. He was 60.

Loei was best known for being the founder of the Facebook group Birds, Insects and Creatures of Asia (BICA), which was set up in 2012.

The group, which currently has over 25,000 members, is a community where anyone and everyone can share their photos and sightings of local wildlife.

Loei appeared to have been battling leukemia prior to his death.

In a Feb. 8 Facebook post, he updated that he was rushed to the Accident and Emergency ward at Singapore General Hospital.

Tributes

Loei was credited for creating a community for like-minded wildlife enthusiasts.

Several birdwatchers and photographers have since paid tribute to Loei, with some thanking him for starting them on their birding journey.

One BICA member described Loei as “one of the very few individuals who willingly shared [bird] locations”.

This was in the early days of birding and wildlife photography, “during a time when bird locations were selfishly kept as secrets by photographers”, the member added.

"He has contributed to the growth of birding communities in Singapore."

Another recalled that Loei was the one who added him to BICA in 2015, and that he was able to gain insights about birding through “the group’s generous sharing”.

He wrote that in the past, Loei shared with him the locations of many birds which turned out to be lifers (a species one sees for the first time) for him, such as the black-backed kingfisher and the grey-headed fish eagle.

All "because of Jeremiah".

Loei would also participate in photography workshops, teaching others bird photography techniques using Canon camera gear and sharing about his birding experiences.

As fondly written in a tribute:

"May his memory live on, and may BICA, which is associated with Jeremiah, continue to bond our community together as he goes to another better place."

Loei's wake will be held from Feb. 18 to 20, at 122B Sengkang East Way, Singapore 542122.

Top photo from Jeremiah Loei/FB