Poachers :(

It's usually my practice to blog just about the good things. It should be about happy travels and adventures. But sadly, this entry is about something very unpleasant - especially to the birds....

At Marina South (see prev entry), Harry, Kym & I chanced upon this weather-beaten guy out to trap red whiskered bulbuls using another hapless comrade ... and using mist nets!



According to the latest issue of the NSS newsletter, mist nets are banned in Singapore. The poacher is obviously ignorant about the law. When asked, he claimed that he did that not for profiteering but for fun.

For fun indeed! To who?! Such mist nets are usually cheaply made in countries like Thailand and of very low quality which might hurt the bird when it is entangled in it. What's the point of trapping something which is beautiful but hurt? Where's the fun then?

Things turned ugly when Harry advised the poacher to stop, taking photos when he refused to do the right thing. Kym called NParks for help, but I guess they'll be too far away to nab the poacher in time.... I'm not sure what to do.... Call for help and hope the guy will be around when the authorities come? But I must laud Harry & Kym for standing up to the poacher and giving him a memorably bad experience so that he will think twice next time....