Men chase & stone otters at Lorong Halus, claim it's because they were eating fish

At least two men were seen chasing after a romp of otters at Lorong Halus and throwing stones at them.

Videos of the incident, which took place at around 9am on May 24, were posted on Facebook by a user who goes by the name Naz Naj.

Two men — one in a blue singlet, and another in orange — could be seen running after the otters and hurling large stones at them.

The otters could be seen fleeing from the attack.

Some tried to escape to the lake, but had stones hurled at them regardless.

Speaking to Mothership, Naz said that he had been in a group of eight people when they noticed the attack.

When he and his friends told them to stop, the perpetrators responded that "it's ok to chase and throw stones at the otters as they were consuming fish in the area".

Some of the otters were also struck by the stones, and appeared "hurt and scared-looking", Naz said.

"All this happened to loud shouts of encouragement from the group," he added.

In response to Mothership's queries, Jessica Kwok, group director of enforcement and investigation at the National Parks Board (NParks), confirmed that it is investigating the matter.

"NParks takes all cases related to animal welfare seriously and investigates all feedback received," Kwok said.

Members of the public can report suspected cases of animal cruelty or injuries to NParks via its website or call its Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600.

About otters

Otters are native to Singapore.

Social animals by nature, they can form groups of two to more than 10 and are often seen frolicking around the different waterways in Singapore.

They are carnivorous. Smooth-coated otters subsist mainly on fish, while small-clawed otters feed more on crustaceans and molluscs.

They are curious animals and attracted to places where they can find fish, according to NParks.

Once locally extinct in Singapore, otters have since made a comeback. Their presence in our environment is an indicator of a healthy ecosystem.

They help to maintain the ecosystem by feeding on slower and weaker prey, leaving behind a strong population of fish.

Globally, smooth-coated otters are vulnerable to extinction. Locally, they are protected under the Wildlife Act of Singapore.

Here's what to do in the event of an encounter with otters, according to NParks' advisory:

• DO NOT touch, chase or corner the otters. Observe them from a distance. Going too close to the otters may frighten them.
• DO NOT talk loudly and do not use flash photography. Noise and light may scare and provoke the otters.
• DO NOT feed the otters. The otters have their own food in the environment and their natural eating habits keep the ecosystem healthy.
• DO NOT litter or leave sharp objects in the water. Clean and safe waterways filled with fish and aquatic life make good habitats for the otters to frolic and feed in.
• DO keep your dog on a tight leash. Your dog might chase the otters and frighten them, and keeping your dog on a tight leash will help to keep it safe.

Top image from Naz Naj/Facebook