46 rescued animals have been released into their new enclosures in ACRES’ new sanctuary
ACRES (Animal Concerns Research & Education Society) recently opened its Sanctuary Area at the ACRES Wildlife Rescue Centre (AWRC).
Minister of State for National Development, Mr Desmond Lee, was the Guest of Honour for the opening.
Singapore’S First Wildlife Rescue Centre
The AWRC is Singapore’s first dedicated Wildlife Rescue Centre and provides sanctuary to animals rescued from the illegal wildlife trade as well as injured native wild animals.
Since the opening of the AWRC in 2009, ACRES has rescued over 3,000 wild animals in Singapore, ranging from birds to tortoises and even pangolins.
First Time Back in Natural Environment
Over the past six months, hundreds of volunteers from all walks of life in Singapore have helped to build brand new outdoor enclosures for the rescued wild animals. The ACRES volunteers, young and old, came together to put their heart and soul into improving the lives of the animals.
During the ceremony, Mr Lee, together with ACRES volunteers, released the animals into their new enclosures. For many of the animals, this was the first time they walked on grass or climbed trees since they were poached from the wild.
Big Momma, a star tortoise, is native to India and was smuggled into Singapore for the illegal pet trade. Like many others, she was probably packed into a suitcase and smuggled in horrendous conditions on board a flight from Chennai to Singapore.
Plight of the Abandoned
Someone had illegally purchased and kept her as a pet and then literally threw her away when they did not want her anymore. Following a tip off to the ACRES Hotline, Big Momma was rescued from a rubbish area at an HDB block.
When she was rescued, she was suffering from severe nutritional deficiencies and required critical veterinary care.
The Species & Numbers
The total number of animals released into the new Sanctuary Area was 46. All the species released are illegal to be kept as pets in Singapore.
They comprised three Giant Asian Pond Turtles, 35 Indian Star Tortoises, one Hermann’s Tortoise, one Red-Footed Tortoise, one African Spurred Tortoise, two Common Snapping Turtles, one Pig-Nosed Turtle, one Eastern Snake-Necked Turtle, and one Green Iguana.
With the exception of the Common Snapping Turtle and the Eastern Snake-Neck Turtle, all the other species are listed under Appendix II of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), which places them among species “that are not necessarily now threatened with extinction but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled”.
Important Step for Animal Welfare
“Awareness about animal welfare issues has increased among Singaporeans, especially the younger generation. I am heartened by the various community-led and ground-up initiatives, including the efforts put in by animal welfare groups like ACRES, in public outreach and education,” said Mr Lee.
“Today marks an important step forward in these animals’ path towards freedom. We are grateful for our volunteers who have dedicated so much time and effort towards making a difference for the animals,” said Mr Louis Ng, Chief Executive
of ACRES.
“We look forward to the day we can release these animals back into the wild where they belong,” he added.
About ACRES
ACRES (Animal Concerns Research & Education Society) is a pioneering Singapore-based charity and Institution of Public Character (IPC), founded by Singaporeans in 2001 with the aim of advocating an end to animal cruelty in Asia.
ACRES is registered as an International NGO in Laos and in Australia.
ACRES Wildlife Crime / Animal Rescue Hotline: 9783 7782
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