Study: Singapore Has Lost Half Its Animals

by Maria A. Schulz

A new, landmark study shows that Singapore has lost about half its animal species in the last 200 years, and that the rest of the region is likely to follow suit very soon.

The study, which was published in the science journal, Nature, was carried out by researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Australia’s Northern Territory University.

Given the extensive destruction of habitat, the researchers predicted the loss of up to 42 percent of animal populations in south-east Asia by the end of this century.

After examining detailed documentation of the state of mammals, birds, fish and butterflies on the island, they found that at least 881 of 3,196 recorded species, or 28 percent, are now gone forever.

Taking into account the probable number of animals in the area before the keeping of detailed records in the late 1800s, the researchers stated that the loss is actually higher than 28 percent, and probably represents as much as 50 percent of Singapore’s animals.

The researchers stated that "large-scale conservation efforts need to be implemented if these rates of extinction are to be abated."

Habitats have been destroyed by a number of factors. Agriculture and urban development are the two main culprits behind the mass extinctions, but over-hunting and fishing, and the heavy shelling of nature reserves during World War II, also played a part in the destruction.

Among the animals most threatened with extinction are two mammals found only in Singapore: the cream-colored giant squirrel, and the banded leaf monkey, said one of the study’s authors, Associate Professor Peter Ng of the NUS Department of Biological Sciences.

The populations of these two mammals have thinned out so dramatically that there is no hope for their survival, according to Prof Ng.

"These are effectively the living dead," said Prof Ng, who is also director of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research.

According to the study, the prospects for Singapore’s surviving animals look bleak, since 77 per cent of species are already under threat, and most of them are concentrated in nature reserves.

The researchers recommended that action be taken to save as many animals as possible, as soon as possible.

"It’s imperative to hang on to all our protected areas." Professor Ng said.

"We can’t change history, but we can try to hang on to what we have now."

© 2003 Animal News Center, Inc.