The water play area of Lower Seletar Reservoir Park is closed for now, thanks to a crocodile.
A Public Utilities Board (PUB) contractor was said to have spotted a croc at the reservoir in Khatib earlier this morning. Efforts to capture the reptile have been launched by PUB and the National Parks Board (NParks).
While the croc hunt is ongoing, PUB has suspended all water activities and fishing activities at Lower Seletar Reservoir until further notice. That means no kayaking and dragon-boating for now, while anglers won’t be allowed to cast their rods at the fishing jetty. For obvious reasons, of course.
“The public is advised to be alert and avoid going near the reservoir water edge,” noted PUB.
Crocodile sightings at local canals, parks, and reservoirs are uncommon, but not unheard of. One of the biggest resident saltwater crocodiles — weighing in at 400 kilograms and measuring 3.6 meters long — was found dead on the Kranji Reservoir grounds back in 2014. More recently in 2017, the National Sailing Centre suspended all water-based activities in the sea off East Coast Park for four days after a saltwater crocodile was spotted in the waters there.
This should go without saying, but you shouldn’t be approaching wild crocodiles if you happen to encounter one. Don’t linger at the water’s edge at reservoirs, and definitely don’t approach crocodile nests — mama crocs are super aggressive when it comes to protecting their young.
“Should park visitors encounter a crocodile, they should stay calm and back away slowly. They should not approach, provoke, or feed the animal.”
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