Mr How said NParks has introduced various measures to strengthen ecological connectivity over the years, including wildlife crossings such as Eco-Link@BKE and underground culverts. Speed-regulating strips and exclusion fencing have been installed along roads with higher animal sightings.
“We will continue to explore solutions to reduce vehicular-wildlife collisions, such as leveraging technology, including artificial intelligence, to improve our monitoring of wildlife movements near roads to mitigate roadkill incidents,” he said.
He also urged the public not to feed sambar deer, noting there are sufficient food sources in the wild.
Mr Lim’s group takes a direct approach to building public awareness – sharing deer sighting locations with those who ask, but with strict conditions: stay in the car, keep headlights off, stay quiet and do not get out.
“Coexistence is really not just about the animals adapting to us. It’s us having to make space for them as well,” said Ms Chia.
ON THE TRAIL
The Save Sambar Deer initiative was founded in 2020 after Mr Lim, then working in real estate, stumbled upon a group of deer while hiking the Mandai T15 trail. Realising no one was actively advocating for the animals, he began spending extensive time in the forest documenting them.
He now contributes about S$35,000 to S$50,000 annually to support the group’s work, which spans public outreach, field trips for tertiary students and a research centre in Indonesia under its parent organisation EcoWild Asia.