National Geographic photographer Stefano Unterthiner (48) from Italy has visited over 30 countries and photographed exotic wildlife resembling the Komodo dragon, bison and brown bear.
When he learned about Singapore’s Bishan otters, he flew here last January for greater than three weeks.
He just isn’t the one foreigner taken with our otters.
Otter groups told The New Paper they receive messages from fans all over the world asking where to seek out the animals in the event that they were to go to Singapore.
There are two species of otters here – the smooth-coated otter and the small-clawed otter.
The smooth-haired ones grow to a few meter in length and weigh about 11 kg. These are essentially the most common ones and have been seen for the reason that Nineteen Nineties in places resembling Sungei Buloh, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park and Gardens by the Bay.
Small-clawed otters weigh around 5kg each and have been seen on offshore islands resembling Pulau Tekong and Pulau Ubin in recent a long time.
Media reports of otters attacking fish ponds in Sentosa Bay or on the tarmac of Changi Airport.
Over the last decade, Unterthiner has been an everyday contributor to National Geographic magazine. In an e-mail conversation with TNP, he said that he had at all times dreamed of working with otters.
He said: “My job is to inform the life stories of animals and I’m at all times searching for latest and interesting stories… The return of otters to Singapore is an incredible example of humans and wildlife cohabiting.
“It’s a positive story to tell and share, full of hope. I never expected to do it in the heart of a metropolis.”
In July 2016, otters were welcomed by researchers and scientists from all over the world when Singapore hosted the thirteenth International Otter Congress.
Experienced otter watcher and Ottercity founder Jeffrey Teo, 47, told TNP: “Otters represent the biodiversity success that Singapore has achieved through the years, and lots of people wish to see them with their very own eyes.”
Ottercity was launched in June last yr as a platform to share original collections of stories, photos and videos about otters in Singapore. He has over 9,000 followers on Facebook.
OtterWatch has over 40,000 followers on Facebook, including fans from Ireland, Italy and Russia.
Teo added that Ottercity is gaining about 1,000 latest followers every month and receives messages from fans abroad on daily basis.
Some come from countries resembling Japan, the UK, Australia, Taiwan and the USA.
Teo said: “They normally ask how and where they’ll find otters in the event that they were to come back to Singapore.”
PHENOMENON
Biology lecturer on the National University of Singapore, N. Sivasothi, who heads the OtterWatch group, told TNP: “Otters are gaining a lot recognition all over the world since it is a rare phenomenon to see these wild creatures thriving in cities like Singapore.
“Many people are intrigued to see these otters roaming around Marina Bay in the background.”
He added that Singapore otters are easier to trace and spot in comparison with otters abroad.
Sivasothi said the otters gained popularity in 2014 after they were spotted within the Marina Bay area after which National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan blogged about it.
“It’s really heartwarming to see locals and even people from abroad appreciating these otters,” he added.
Source : New newspaper
