Other than educating the public about conservation issues through the 4 zoological parks in Singapore, Wildlife Reserves Singapore also engages in various other conservation efforts through the Wildlife Reserves Singapore Conservation Funds.

 

RESEARCH GRANTS

 

Wildlife Reserves Singapore provides grants for locally-based research on Singapore’s wildlife. The projects should include one or more of the following aspects of conservation:

• Restoration of natural habitats, which includes the various forests, swamps and marine ecosystems found in Singapore.
• Protection, management and reintroduction of endangered species.
• Conservation education, such as new or innovative ways in using media or other platforms to educate the public about conservation issues.
• Identification and management of biodiversity-rich areas in Singapore

 

EXAMPLES OF PAST RESEARCH

 

(1) Saving the Singapore Freshwater Crab (Johora singaporensis) from extinction

Principal Investigator: Dr. Daniel Ng Jia Jun

 

Singapore Freshwater Crab

(image credits: Wildlife Reserves Singapore Conservation Fund)

 

Dr. Ng from the National University of Singapore received the WRSCF grant in 2013. His research is focused on the Singapore Freshwater Crab, which is an endangered species of crab that can only be found in Singapore. The tiny crab can only grow up to 30mm wide! The research focuses on the study of the Singapore Freshwater Crab and also plans on establishing new populations of these crabs in various locations around Singapore.

 

(2) The urban ecology of bats in Singapore: understanding the human-wildlife interface

Principle Investigator: Benjamin Lee

 

Bats

(image credits: Wildlife Reserves Singapore Conservation Fund)

 

Mr Lee was awarded the WRSCF grant in 2013. His research focuses on the human-wildlife conflict of bats in Singapore. In particular, he was interested in how bats persist and survive in a rapidly-urbanizing environment and how such development is affecting the bats. There is also a focus on whether green roofs are useful habitats for bats in urban Singapore.

 

By providing research grants, Wildlife Reserves Singapore helps to support various individuals, groups, and organizations that are passionate about tackling conservation issues with respect to the Singapore context. This allows them to work together with these entities to further conservation efforts in Singapore.