Speech by SMS Sim Ann at the Launch of WWF-SG's Tiger Trail
Feb 24, 2022
A very good evening to everyone, and thank you WWF-Singapore for inviting me to the opening of the Tiger Trail.
Being the Year of the Tiger, this is a timely occasion to raise awareness for the conservation of this endangered species. I look forward to touring the Tiger Trail, and listening to the sharing by the various talented artists who have contributed to its creation.
Like all large predators, tigers play a key role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. But, their population has been significantly declining, with only 3,900 tigers left in the world today, from 100,000 tigers a century ago. This is partly due to climate change, and poaching. I would like to thank WWF-Singapore for playing its part in tiger recovery efforts, and its commitment to raising awareness on the need to conserve such key species.
Singapore’s Role in Combating Illegal Wildlife Trade
The days of tigers roaming about on our island are long gone. Despite being highly urbanised, Singapore is committed to do our part, to conserve our planet’s biodiversity and ecosystems. A key part of our efforts is to combat the illegal trade of wildlife species, such as tigers. Such trade threatens their survival, and harms habitats and ecosystems around the world. This is why Singapore is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES. We have put in place a Whole-of-Government enforcement framework, and are working closely with a robust network of regional and international partners.
We are also taking active steps to strengthen our domestic laws and enforcement against illegal wildlife trade. Since 1992, we have banned the local sale of all tiger and rhino parts, to support global conservation efforts. In 2019, we announced a ban in domestic ivory trade too. This came into effect last September.
Presently, we are also reviewing our Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act, with a view to introducing stiffer penalties and stronger enforcement powers. Just last week, my colleague MOS Tan Kiat How shared some of the key findings of our public consultation exercise, where we engaged key stakeholders – traders, non-government organisations like WWF-Singapore, experts – and the community, on our proposals for the Act.
We also make good use of technology, and collaborate with local and international wildlife experts, to contribute to the international understanding of the structure and flows of illegal wildlife trade. In August last year, we opened our Centre for Wildlife Forensics. Through the Centre, we are enhancing our capabilities in wildlife forensic science, including molecular methods like DNA barcoding and genomics, to accurately identify animal and timber species.
We are also working with local and international experts on studies to enhance our investigation and enforcement efforts. This includes using genetic studies to determine the likely geographical origins of illegally traded wildlife, and to uncover connections across different batches of seized specimens. All of these insights can also be shared with our regional and international partners, to inform their enforcement efforts, and allow them to better target poaching and wildlife trafficking at source.
Conserving Our Native Biodiversity
Within our borders, we are committed to conserve our own native biodiversity, and to be responsible custodians of our natural heritage. This is a key part of our City in Nature vision – to weave nature much more closely into the fabric of our city – So that we can protect our nature and biodiversity for future generations, even as we meet the growing and evolving needs of our people.
For example, through our dedicated habitat enhancement and species recovery programmes, we make a special effort to conserve our key native flora and fauna, especially rare and endangered species – By enhancing existing habitats, and reintroducing and propagating them into their original habitats, as well as suitable new habitats.
The Leopard Cat for instance, is a critically endangered feline species, and a close relative to the tiger, with golden fur and black spots. With the help of the community, we’ve conserved and enhanced its key habitats – at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, the Central Catchment Nature Reserve and their surrounding nature parks – to help the species thrive. The Leopard cat and other critically endangered species such as the Sunda Pangolin also benefit from culverts at some of our nature reserves and nature parks, which provide safe crossings.
Community Partnership and Engagement
These efforts to tackle illegal wildlife trade, and to conserve our biodiversity cannot be achieved by the Government alone. The community plays an important role in taking care of our natural environment and wildlife too.
Events like the Tiger Trail help to raise awareness on the importance of safeguarding our natural heritage, and our role in protecting our planet’s biodiversity. They are an effective and important way to reach out to more people on the value of conservation, to grow our community of stewards And just last month, we have also worked with WWF-Singapore to jointly engage over 80 representatives from the shipping industry, and share best practices for traders to better understand their role in tackling the illegal trade in wildlife. We will continue to partner the domestic and international community, to further strengthen our nature and wildlife conservation efforts.
Conclusion
Let me conclude by thanking our fellow Singaporeans for joining us today, and for supporting WWF-Singapore at this event. I hope that the trail will inspire you to learn more about how we can all contribute to conserving our natural heritage and biodiversity.
If you wish to get involved, do join us for our citizen science programmes, biodiversity conservation surveys, and other wildlife-related initiatives, under NParks’ Community in Nature programme. Or, explore the wide range of initiatives that WWF-Singapore offers.
Thank you.