Environment
Otter pup stranded in Bukit Panjang canal amidst monsoon surge, reunited with family after 24 hours
The pup was found "weak" and "lethargic", but was treated by Acres' vet team.
March 24, 2025, 07:40 PM
A stranded otter pup was successfully rescued from a canal in Bukit Panjang after being separated from its family for 24 hours.
Speaking to Mothership, Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) co-CEO Kalai Vanan confirmed that the incident occurred at the Pang Sua Pond along 101 Bukit Panjang Ring Road on Mar. 23.
The pup, which was found "weak" and "lethargic", was reportedly separated from its family amidst a monsoon surge in the area.
Separated and called out for parents
According to Kalai, a member of the public had spotted the stranded pup "calling out for her parents" as the sun was about to set on Mar. 22.
He added that the Acres team was "on standby to respond if required".
Otter watchers in the area confirmed on the morning of Mar. 23 that the otter pup had indeed gotten separated from its family.
At the time, it was believed that they had been separated for about 24 hours.
Acres later sent a team to the canal to conduct a rescue operation and retrieve the pup, in hopes of reuniting it with its family.
Rescue footage filmed by an otter watcher and provided by Acres showed the team in action at the canal, equipped with a net and cloths as they approached and later secured the pup.
Gif adapted from video by Marjorie.
Pup "weak" and "lethargic" after rescue
After the rescue, Kalai said that the pup was "weak" and "lethargic".
Gif adapted from video by Acres.
It was then examined by the Acres veterinary team and received fluids, food and rest.
Photo by Acres.
"While under our safe care, the pup's family was being located by otter watchers," he added.
Before the pup's release, Kalai said that Acres had conducted a "reunion test" involving the pup to ensure that the otter family was indeed its family.
This was done by lowering the carrier containing the pup, but with the carrier's door locked, to test the otter family's initial response to it.
Photo by Acres.
The test ended up successful — after the pup was released, the pup's mother could be seen in another clip swimming away in the water while carrying the pup in her mouth.
Meanwhile, the rest of the otter family came to check on their reunited family member.
Gif adapted from video by Marjorie.
Top photos via Acres
