Eco-Link@BKE

Credit: Conservation Corridor

Credit: Conservation Corridor

When Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) was built in the 1986, the forest was fragmented into two parts – Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Nature Reserve. As a result, animals could not cross over to the other side to find food or mate without risking roadkill. As they get isolated in one forest fragment, biodiversity declines due to more inbreeding and less dispersion of plants by the animals. This in turn will lead to species extinction and a chain of negative consequences. One of the species that has been affected is the banded leaf monkey which can now only be found in Central Catchment Nature Reserve.

Banded Leaf Monkey

To restore the valuable biodiversity, Eco-Link was constructed in 2013 to reconnect the two forest fragments. It is similar to our overhead bridge except that it is heavily planted for animals to cross. And if you are wondering why it is shaped like an hourglass, it is to direct animals to the bridge itself. 

Credit: NParks

Credit: NParks

Camera traps which are triggered by motion and temperature are used to take photos when animals walk past. This allows NParks to evaluate the effectiveness of this $17 million project by keeping track of the animals that are using this eco passage.

The results so far have been promising. Rare and new species of fauna have been discovered. Rare mammals such as the Lesser Mousedeer and Sunda Pangolin have also been captured on the camera. These species used to be geographically restricted before the construction of Eco-Link. NParks also reported fewer pangolins dying from roadkills after after the bridge was built.

Lesser Mousedeer

Credit: National Parks

Fauna

Credit: National Parks

Just today, the eco-link is officially open to the public for guided tours. It is foreseeable that it will be a hotspot for schools to conduct educational field trips. More importantly, this project reminds us how we can co-exist and live in harmony with the wildlife.

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