'Panda' of the mangroves discovered, Neil Humphreys writes on Chek Jawa and more

The ‘Panda’ of Mangroves, Bruguiera hainesii, has been found in the mangroves of Pulau Tekong! Here's more by the person who found them, Koh Kwan Siong of NParks.

Also an article by renowned author Neil Humphreys about his daughter's joy at Chek Jawa, work by volunteers at Pasir Ris, how creativity resulted in a dragonfly habitat and reviews of two upcoming nature books. All in the latest issue of My Green Space Oct-Dec 2012 a newsletter of the National Parks Board.

Northern Expedition of the Mega Marine Survey finds awesome marine life in Singapore

Singapore's first ever comprehensive look at our marine biodiversity has launched a massive Northern Expedition in October. What has the Mega Marine Survey found since it first started in 2010?

Volunteers busy sorting through finds at the Northern Expedition.

Over thirty new records have been found from Singapore and the region, including the Laternula, a species of lantern shells which may have bioactive compounds and chemicals that can aid medical science.

Exotic parrots and fishes; and feather star-crab

These introduced birds are pretty, but what impact do they have on our native wildlife?

These and other fascinating articles have been uploaded on Nature in Singapore of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research.

Singapore's living forests, reefs, seashores and more!

What lives in our forests? The latest issue of My Green Space, published by NParks, shares more on this and other fascinating work done for Singapore's biodiversity.

What happens during the quiet orgy in our waters when Singapore's corals mass spawn? Also more about Singapore's first marine expedition and the fabulous new book on Singapore's caterpillars!

Mandai mangroves, giant clams, coral spawning and more

The beautiful Mandai mangroves shows us how we can understand threats to mangroves in Singapore and beyond. We still have Giant clams and efforts are ongoing to conserve them.

Ordinary people helping to survey Mandai mangroves
as part of the Mega Marine Survey

Also, studies of coral spawning in Singapore and venomous fishes on Sentosa's recreational beaches. All this and more can be found in the latest issue of the Raffles Bulletin of Zoology which is a Special Memorial Issue Navjot S. Sodhi (1962–2011)

Secretive squirrel, orchids rediscovered, corals studied and more

We learn more about the elusive shrew-faced squirrel that lives in our forest.

Plus lots more discoveries and studies of Singapore's amazing plants and animals, on land and sea. All in the latest slew of papers on Nature in Singapore of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research.

12 May (Sat): World Migratory Bird Day at Sungei Buloh

With the theme "Migratory birds and people - together through time" this year's World Migratory Bird Day celebrates the continuing relationship between migratory birds and people. Throughout time and across cultures humans have relied on birds, be it to supply food, to deliver messages, or to serve as symbols of power and prestige.

World Migratory Bird Day highlights the need to protect migratory birds and their habitats. It is celebrated world wide on the second weekend each May since 2006.Celebrate migratory bird day at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve with the rest of the world on 12 May 2012!

28 Apr (Sat): Semakau Mini Documentary contest

Here's your chance to film Pulau Semakau's biodiversity and win attractive prizes.

Nature Society (Singapore) is hosting an all-day event at Pulau Semakau on 28 Apr (Sat) for "Through Green Lenses: A Semakau Mini-documentary/Film Making Contest 2012"

Mega Marine Survey digs up 100 species!

The Mega Marine Survey has uncovered 100 species, some are new to Singapore or to science, even though the project is only one-third through!

This was highlighted in a Straits Times article today by Grace Chua. Among the featured creatures is this anemone found deep into the mudflats of Lim Chu Kang. This bumpy, warty sea anemone so new to science, it does not even have a scientific name yet. The volunteers have fondly nicknamed it Bill and it has seen at other locations in Singapore too.

Your otter sightings wanted!

Yes! We have wild otters! A brand new facebook page, OtterWatch has been set up to gather your otter sightings! This is part of Meryl Theng's project to study Singapore's otters.

Where have otters been sighted in Singapore?

My Green Space: hornbills, helicopters and more!

Lots of exciting developments and interesting stories in the latest issue of My Green Space Issue 10 Vol 3/2011.

In the lead story Hornbill Happenings: Surprises From Nature learn more about what is happening with our Oriental pied hornbills!

9-10 Jul (Sat & Sun): Biodiversity talks at the Botanic Gardens

More biodiversity talks this weekend! Learn about our birds and how to photograph them. Find out about our orchids and efforts to conserve them. Hear about our hornbills, dragonflies and heritage trees. Learn about the effort to survey our marine biodiversity, and about the secret shores of Singapore.

These exciting talks are part of NPark's “Forests, People, Environment” Exhibition which runs until 24 Jul at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Hundreds of new Singapore biodiversity discoveries, a new website and more!

About 500 species of plants and animals new to Singapore, and more than 100 species new to science have been discovered over the last decade! Among them, the Green Tree Snail (Amphidromus atricallosus temasek). Described by Mr Tan Siong Kiat, a curator at the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research. According to him, these snails are very well-camouflaged in the tree tops. Trying to spot one is like looking for a needle in a haystack!
This is highlighted in Singapore’s Amazing Biodiversity Discoveries, in the latest My Green Space newsletter (Issue 9 Vol 2/2011) by NParks which has many other interesting articles about our biodiversity.

19 Apr (Tue): Second sea turtle forum - How are the released sea turtles doing?

In August 2010, several captive bred hawksbill turtles were released at Big Sisters Island.
This month, a follow-up forum is being conducted to share how these sea turtles are doing. All are welcome to attend!

Celebrating Dugongs in 2011!

2011 is Pacific Year of the Dugong!


What are dugongs? Does Singapore have any dugongs? What can I do for dugongs in Singapore?

Raffles Bulletin of Zoology: New animals named after Singapore!

A land snail and a mangrove slug have been named after Singapore! The latest issue of the Raffles Bulletin of Zoology (RBZ 59(1): 1–115. 28 February 2011) features these and other fascinating papers.

The Singapore population of these beautiful green land snails have been described as Amphidromus atricallosus temasek, a new subspecies!

Singapore has wild dolphins, porpoises and dugongs!

YES! And your help is needed to look out for and report sightings of them. How to identify them? Check out these awesome ID charts by the Singapore Wild Marine Mammal Survey (SWiMMS) project!

Singapore wild marine mammal survey(marine mammal identification chart)

With their kind permission, these resources are now on slideshare for your download.

You can also learn more about marine mammals at N. Sivasothi's talk on 27 Jan (Thu) with Green Drinks. More information on this earlier post.

24 Aug (Tue): "Turtles Towards Extinction: How late are we? Is it too late?"

Is it enough to be breeding animals and learning about them in the zoos and aquariums? Or should future steps endeavour to not only breed them but reintroduce them into the wild?
These and other issues will be discussed at the Multidisciplinary Forum & Turtle Release@Big Sister Island: "Turtles Towards Extinction: How late are we? Is it too late?". Plus the event includes a field trip to tag and release hawksbill turtles at Big Sisters Island!

Tiger orchids, Otters on Orchard Road and Tree Weeds

The awesome Tiger orchid is featured in NParks Buzz Aug 10 newsletter
According to the article, this orchid is extremely rare if not already extinct in the wild in Singapore. The orchid was last found in the wild in Tuas and Pulau Ubin. Since a mature plant could weigh more than a ton, it is a wonder that such a huge plant could live on the trunk of a tree!

17 Apr (Sat): Talk on "Sponges and You"

What are sponges? Lim Swee Cheng, author of "A Guide to Sponges of Singapore" will tell you how sponges rank among the oldest and most fascinating animals in the world. Yes, sponges are animals!
What are the other kinds of sponges that can be found in Singapore waters and just how many are they? He will also share with you his discoveries from two years of searching and identification of sponges in Singapore waters.