Baby civets found by dog-walker near drain at Petir Road, initially thought to be kittens

Two young civets were rescued near Petir Road on Jul. 1 after being found on the ground near a drain.

A Facebook user shared that her neighbour had found the pair in the early morning while walking his dog.

He temporarily placed them in a box while he reached out to the authorities for help.

They had initially believed the creatures to be kittens.

The user's husband then stepped in briefly to help look after the civet babies.

The neighbour subsequently returned to monitor the animals, and according to the user, had also put up a sign telling people not to touch them.

He remained with the civets until they were picked up by officers, she said.

She added:

"He did a good deed, as the mother was no where in sight, and the kittens were in a dangerous place (near drain and his dog almost got to it). He kept them in a box safe in case of predators or people coming to take it."

In response to queries from Mothership, the National Parks Board's (NParks) Group Director of Wildlife Management How Choon Beng confirmed they were alerted to the incident.

NParks' wildlife contractor retrieved the civets, and placed them in a box on a nearby tree close to where they were found "for reunification with the parent".

Civet encounters

While civets may resemble cats, they are entirely different species.

They are characterised by long, sleek bodies, short limbs, a long tail, a pointed muzzle, and small ears.

As omnivores, these free-roaming creatures are usually found in forests, parks, mangroves, and our urban environment.

They are typically attracted to areas with food sources and nesting spots, but are generally shy creatures and will stay out of sight.

Should members of the public encounter a civet, NParks advises them to:

• Stay calm and observe from a safe distance,
• Do not corner or chase the animal, and
• Keep food covered or stored away to prevent attracting civets to their homes.

If assistance is required for wildlife-related issues, members of the public may contact NParks’ 24-hour Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600.

More information on civets can be found on NParks’ website.