In a remarkable encounter that left cyclists and nature enthusiasts awestruck, a large Malayan tapir was spotted on the Punggol Park Connector in Singapore. The extraordinary event took place on a serene Sunday morning, capturing the attention of not only those present but also the online community after a Facebook user named "Pong Posadas" shared a video of the encounter in the SG PCN (Park Connector Network) Cyclist group.
The sighting occurred at approximately 6:25 am near the Lorong Halus Bridge. Pong Posadas recounted his experience, describing how he initially mistook the approaching tapir for a horse due to the sound of its footsteps. As he slowed down, the tapir calmly overtook him, leaving him astonished and amazed. His post quickly gained traction, amassing 1,700 reactions, 280 comments, and 1,000 shares within just six hours.
While some online users expressed shock and fear at the sight of the tapir, the majority expressed concern for the well-being of the endangered animal. Many were sympathetic to the tapir's situation, acknowledging its likely disorientation and fear being far from its natural habitat.
The Malayan tapir is native to the rainforests of Malaysia and is classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. Tapir sightings in Singapore are exceptionally rare, with the last recorded sighting before 2016 dating back to 1986 on Pulau Ubin.
This recent sighting marks the second such occurrence this year. In July, members of the Singapore Wildlife Sightings group reported seeing a tapir near the Punggol Park Connector, near Coney Island. The Malayan tapir is known for its distinctive appearance, growing up to 2.4 meters in length and reaching a height of over 107 cm, which is more than half the height of an average human.
Tapirs are also known for their agility in water and can swim rapidly. Responding to the July sighting, experts speculated that the tapir may have swum from Malaysia to Singapore, emphasizing the importance of preserving natural habitats for these unique creatures.
In the case of Sunday's sighting, the tapir was observed finding an opening in the fence and heading toward the water, likely to return to its natural habitat. Pong Posadas, who witnessed the event, humorously described feeling the "gush of wind" as the tapir passed by, joking that it woke him up faster than coffee.
Many on social media marveled at how well-behaved the tapir was, noting that it followed the guidelines for using the Park Connector Network better than some human users. When encountering a tapir in the wild, experts advise the public not to approach, feed, or provoke the animal. Instead, it's recommended to remain calm, quiet, and avoid sudden movements or actions that might agitate the creature, such as using flash photography. This extraordinary encounter serves as a reminder of the importance of wildlife conservation and preserving natural spaces for these remarkable animals.
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