From Complaining to Co-existing: How a collaboration saved an otter family in Pek Kio

Article by Marjorie Chong, Otter Working Group

Four Points family at Pek Kio. (Photo by Yane Kang)

A 7-otter family, with a heavily pregnant mum called White Nib, took up residence beneath a block of Housing Board flats in Pek Kio. They would stealthily pop out from a void-deck drain at night, forage in a nearby canal, and return before daybreak. Soon, their tell-tale spraint (poop) odour and residue were noticed by residents and the Moulmein-Cairnhill town council started receiving complaints.

Alarmingly, unauthorised attempts to block the holt (otter home) with stones and bricks were discovered. Someone was taking matters into his or her own hands to drive away the otters. But  this could have sealed the entire family of otters, possibly with newborn pups, inside, leading to certain death. The Otter Working Group immediately engaged the town council while otterwatchers kept a  vigil at the block. The goal was to buy time for the newborn pups, while providing anxious residents with a sense of security.

This family of otters, named Four Points, came from the Singapore River and its alpha female White Nib was a daughter from the famous Bishan family. It struggled to establish a natal home  away from competing otter families and this search often caused the family to wander into human-dense environments. The pregnant mum’s plight becomes obvious once you realise that otters are territorial and pups are usually the fatalities when families clash.

Furry new neighbours surprise Pek Kio residents. (Photo by Sylvia Loh)

Urban perils that Four Points family had to navigate through. (Photo by Tan Yong Lin)

The story of the otters in Pek Kio heartlands is an example of how Singapore can get closer to its vision of being a City in Nature. Here's what happened: 

1. Advice from experts: With updates from the ground, Otter Working Group and NParks quickly liaised with Moulmein-Cairnhill town council. This engagement was a calming influence, providing further proof that early intervention is necessary when there is conflict on the ground. Areas were cordoned off, signs put up and CCTVs were installed to monitor otter activity. One important action was to re-route the holt entrance further away from a well-used pathway for residents.
   

   

   We come in peace… cordons keep curious humans at a safe distance. (Photo by Tan Yong Lin)

2. Build relationships: Otterwatchers turned up daily to chat with residents, sharing stories of Four Points family and the difficulties it faced; how one pup was swept away during a thunderstorm; and how the otters were evicted from a condo, mosque and a nearby estate.  These stories resonated with residents, many of whom are mothers, and sparked a compassionate response. Even the initial complainant, an eagle-eyed uncle, changed his view and became a strong ally by sharing daily updates with otterwatchers. In fact, we were plied with food and drinks and evenings became chit-chat sessions with residents. Sharing stories and background info is thus an important tool, proving the adage “ You can’t protect what you don’t love, and you can’t love what you don’t know.”
   

   

   Otter booth set up at void deck to answer residents’ Q&A. (Photo by Tan Yong Lin)

3. Show, not tell:  To minimise complaints, otterwatchers came armed with brooms and detergent to clean up spraint, purchased baking soda to reduce smell, and picked up trash. An otter information booth was also held at the void deck to help residents understand otters better, and where we met more children and pets! These positive actions created a closer bond between residents who were negatively affected and those who wanted a better outcome for the otters.

   
   

   

   Otterwatchers cleaning up after the otters. (Photo by Marjorie Chong)

After a few weeks, 2 cute pups emerged from the holt. They took unsteady steps and played in the evening light right next to the void deck. Residents oohed and aahed over their photos, like happy grandparents. 

The otters didn't linger long, as predicted, and left the area soon after. We pasted ‘Thank You’ messages at the blocks. Mission accomplished. Sometimes, co-existence is just that - a small act of compassion from this kind group of residents at Pek Kio. It was a happy ending!

“Letter” to residents after otters left the area. (Photos in the card by Sylvia Loh and Jocelyn Chng)