By Ang Yiying & Kimberly Spykerman
News Reporters
FORGET the crocodile. Hunting the hunters is a full-time job in itself.
The crocodile that’s reportedly on the loose in Pasir Ris Park has proved to be elusive over the last few days even though many nature lovers and curious Singaporeans have turned up to catch the action.
Reporters have been trying to find out what’s being done to capture the reptile - to no avail.
For sure, it's a delicate situation for the authorities managing the area to find themselves in. Crocodile sightings seem to be out of the ordinary for the regular urbanite whose first reaction is to get some assurance from the authorities that they would not be in danger.
These, alas, are more elusive than the croc itself. It’s been three days and the only official statement is that NParks and the PUB are working jointly to trap the reptile.
But how exactly?
The silence might perhaps be attributed to jurisdiction. The river banks surrounding the mangrove swamp belong to PUB because they manage the waterways. The beach runs alongside the mangrove, however, is the property of NParks.
Therein lies the official dilemma since crocodiles, as we all know, are amphibious.
Since the reptile was spotted at the mouth of the Sungei Tampines canal, a waterway, it is technically up to PUB to take the lead on the issue.
So what happens if the croc is sighted and callers call in the information? What if the next time it is sighted is while it’s swimming?
Well, apparently a crocodile farmer has been roped in to pick up the hapless creature. Yet another player in this hunting game who has proved rather elusive.
Meanwhile, we wait for some Steve Irwin-esque action.
Have you seen it? Or its hunters?
Source: Reader Handout