Animals of Ubin

Edmund Waller (2001) "Landscape Planning in Singapore" reports:

"With regard to the fauna of Pulau Ubin, this is of greater national importance with several species rare or absent from the mainland. These include wild pigs and the leopard cat. In recent years, there has been a visit from a wild elephant and unconfirmed reports of a tiger.

The recent appearance of elephants at Ubin and Pulau Tekong, whose presence had never been recorded, has added to the island's reputation as a last wild frontier."

Editor's note: However, we now know that the reports of the tiger was probably untrue and of course the recent sightings of Otters reported throughout the island. Of course let's not forget the avifauna of the island such as the Jungle Fowl amongst other rare species of birds.

Updated (and possibly incomplete) checklist.

• Leopard Cat
  
• Wild boar
  
• Smooth-Coated Otter
  
• Oriental Small-clawed otters
  
• Macaques
  
• Elephants (Non Resident)
  
• Tapir (Non Resident)
  
• Deers (extinct)
  
• Tigers (extinct)
  

Pulau Ubin has truly become the "last wild frontier" as deforestation continues in our neighboring countries which used to be the animal's refuge. However, with the lost of habitats, the animals such to seek other sanctuaries and the undeveloped island of Ubin becomes refuge for animals (and humans!). Not only has the example of the elephant proven so but the recent increase in animals found on the island such as the appearance of the Otters has also strengthen this hypothesis. Thus, it becomes increasingly important to further restore the island habitat, in addition to maintaining the island as it is.

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References:

Waller, Edmund (2001) "Landscape Planning in Singapore" (Singapore: Singapore University Press) pp.165-171