Showing posts with label MacRitchie Reservoir. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MacRitchie Reservoir. Show all posts

Friday, February 19, 2021

Dead alien fish spotted at MacRitchie Reservoir

Source Website: https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/dead-alien-fish-spotted-macritchie-reservoir
By Ang Qing, The Straits Times, Asiaone, 18 February 2021 at at 8:38 am


The alligator gar is native to North America and can grow to a length of 2.5m.
PHOTO: The alligator gar is native to North America and can grow to a length of 2.5m.
Facebook/Karen Lythgoe
Picture posted by Ashley Tan, mothership.sg on 15 February 2021 at 12:11 pm
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPe_3hZFt8LkWcJGrZ7wgGOnpdqQb4ZLj8s8a1vJBgBBq_PlqMQuFcP2Wt9VGNGFoeoMZySK_QjXg6qWs_5iZj6KIA941k7H4ZThkfmo26h_vq9GvERpXMbGk3mUPVspqEyiYzdEZtv8o/s1024/148624210_10159099108169704_4046387625963538618_o.jpg
https://static.mothership.sg/1/2021/02/148624210_10159099108169704_4046387625963538618_o.jpg
https://mothership.sg/2021/02/alligator-gar-carcass-macritchie/


SINGAPORE - The carcass of a 'monstrous' fish spotted on Sunday (Feb 14) at MacRitchie Reservoir is the latest sighting of an alien species that is not supposed to be here at all.

It was identified as an alligator gar. The fish, native to North America, can grow to a length of 2.5m, and is known to be released by owners who cannot cope with its size.

Over the past 10 years, more than 20 people have faced enforcement action for illegally releasing animals, national water agency PUB and the National Parks Board (NParks) said in a joint statement on Wednesday.


The carcass of a 'monstrous' fish spotted on Sunday (Feb 14) at MacRitchie Reservoir is the latest sighting of an alien species that is not supposed to be here at all.
PHOTO: The carcass of a 'monstrous' fish spotted on Sunday (Feb 14) at MacRitchie Reservoir is the latest sighting of an alien species that is not supposed to be here at all. It was identified as an alligator gar.
Picture posted by Ashley Tan, mothership.sg on 15 February 2021 at 12:11 pm
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpzWWMBQy-uOQ7vXyrctr9A30mfq4zG_YEt_1l0CvEH-gxmafSOhbGz9iw_Jw1d7k71E7RDpUpUXbtbUMtOD8exAcH6KFt0PHjqnX0iSTchFS7-aQYyxxPbss6xrerxAu0JlDTPwWvO4/s1024/148635023_10159099108869704_8843123249993420260_o.jpg
https://static.mothership.sg/1/2021/02/148635023_10159099108869704_8843123249993420260_o.jpg
https://mothership.sg/2021/02/alligator-gar-carcass-macritchie/


The fish, native to North America, can grow to a length of 2.5m, and is known to be released by owners who cannot cope with its size.
PHOTO: The fish, native to North America, can grow to a length of 2.5m, and is known to be released by owners who cannot cope with its size.
The scientific name of the giant alligator gar is Atractosteus spatula.
Picture posted by AZ Animals Staff on 12 February 2021
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJFgcX9ssn6eu4z4AVddfWIpSeOZ4Uc1SG2bGeo3d-1oZWxSCk2S1RRDC3w8cq-HomtjS56oCI-C02QPoM2lqiD7HPqNi5Nuvz2L6EP-Ae5Y59W4X4_TUt9TMEUQbGWLaaEjwWKRZctg/s1200/Alligator-gar-close-up_1.png
https://a-z-animals.com/media/2021/02/Alligator-gar-close-up.jpg
https://a-z-animals.com/animals/alligator-gar/


The carcass of the fish was removed by PUB on Monday.

When such non-native animal populations grow, they compete for natural resources with native biodiversity, the statement said.

In January 2019, around 140 motoro stingrays, which are non-native, were removed from Lower Peirce Reservoir.

According to Dr Tan Heok Hui, an ichthyologist - or marine biologist who studies fish - at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, there has been only one capture of an alligator gar in Singapore but it is "rather common" in local fish shops, where juveniles - averaging around 20cm - are sold.


According to Dr Tan Heok Hui, an ichthyologist - or marine biologist who studies fish - at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, there has been only one capture of an alligator gar in Singapore but it is 'rather common' in local fish shops, where juveniles - averaging around 20cm - are sold.
PHOTO: According to Dr Tan Heok Hui, an ichthyologist - or marine biologist who studies fish - at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, there has been only one capture of an alligator gar in Singapore but it is "rather common" in local fish shops, where juveniles - averaging around 20cm - are sold.
Picture posted by a-z-animals.com
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBGR4Xoo-i3gScJ4wImT5LRGOCf5nJaQPJyMzt4EjaEzkYxlA1h2Sq2hyrmbL85tcUdjI_0VKN-17BUbI9RA2J0vevWGzEluOUSO7rIzOJv7l4ogylZi87BTAi44pUNlphSHh-UV4Ihc/s1024/Alligator-gar-on-river-floor-1024x535_1.png
https://a-z-animals.com/media/2021/02/Alligator-gar-on-river-floor-1024x535.jpg
https://a-z-animals.com/animals/alligator-gar/


"Its flesh is harvested for food in Mexico, although its eggs are toxic," he added.

Bedok Reservoir, Marina Reservoir and Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park are among the places where the fish has been seen over the past two decades.

While the latest sighting fascinated geologist Karen Lythgoe, who shared it on Nature Society (Singapore)'s Facebook group after chancing across the carcass on Sunday, she was dismayed to discover its origins.

"I was really shocked when I found out that the fish was released in the wild, that's just irresponsible," said Dr Lythgoe.


Bedok Reservoir, Marina Reservoir and Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park are among the places where the fish has been seen over the past two decades.
PHOTO: Bedok Reservoir, Marina Reservoir and Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park are among the places where the fish has been seen over the past two decades. The alligator gar is one of the largest freshwater fish species in North America. The ancient fish’s fearsome teeth make it look like an alligator.
Picture posted by Natasha Ishak on 28 August 2020
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyM7S6HnwRGKyOGTZeXpIb-PzaG3_Bmpaxs7ChFoyw59f9sLcOLhzpaJYIAfoALhTKw6cttQZ3VAvrprMZSZQsKs5mWvgu2bMgJ54wTcKV2YYFRPCzwzD4iJsnjpL_WX8KFeNgtQ4gdQ/s900/alligator-gar-head.jpg
https://allthatsinteresting.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/alligator-gar-head.jpg
https://allthatsinteresting.com/alligator-gar


Under the Public Utilities Regulations, those who release animals into reservoirs and water ways may be fined up to ＄3,000.

Offenders caught releasing animals in parks and nature reserves face fines of up to ＄50,000, while those who release wildlife can be fined a maximum of ＄5,000.

"We would like to remind everyone that the release of animals into our water bodies will disrupt the delicate aquatic ecosystem of our waters and may also pose a risk to users of our water bodies," NParks and PUB said.


If you thought alligator gars look pretty prehistoric, that's because they are — the scientific family that gars belong to has a lineage that dates back to dinosaur times, or around 157 million years ago.
PHOTO: If you thought alligator gars look pretty prehistoric, that's because they are — the scientific family that gars belong to has a lineage that dates back to dinosaur times, or around 157 million years ago.
Alligator gars are also referred to as "living fossils" as they retain certain attributes remarkably similar to their ancestors, with little to no changes over the decades.
Picture posted by Ashley Tan,  mothership.sg on 15 February 2021 at 12:11 pm
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpzWWMBQy-uOQ7vXyrctr9A30mfq4zG_YEt_1l0CvEH-gxmafSOhbGz9iw_Jw1d7k71E7RDpUpUXbtbUMtOD8exAcH6KFt0PHjqnX0iSTchFS7-aQYyxxPbss6xrerxAu0JlDTPwWvO4/s1024/148635023_10159099108869704_8843123249993420260_o.jpg
https://static.mothership.sg/1/2021/02/148635023_10159099108869704_8843123249993420260_o.jpg
https://mothership.sg/2021/02/alligator-gar-carcass-macritchie/


Monitor lizard spotted eating alligator gar carcass
PHOTO: Monitor lizard spotted eating alligator gar carcass
A video posted by one Yvonne Wong showed a monitor lizard feasting on a gar's carcass.
However, it is uncertain if this is really the same gar individual, or if this video was filmed at MacRitchie.
Picture posted by Ashley Tan,  mothership.sg on 15 February 2021 at 12:11 pm - Leviathan
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtbI3H5xEuA7Et0hNRZdHa3RrwOk5vzSYrOCtu8cZnd4AE9xeTbzGgYDKa1VWT2atPmHb83xJ31TqAToxlYhta5ofKwyZyyTQcOZBa0Y7ToKKRKZQBcpI0dym98wmeLRmjbXiQNTFW7g/s1086/Screenshot-2021-02-15-at-11.33.18-AM.png
https://static.mothership.sg/1/2021/02/Screenshot-2021-02-15-at-11.33.18-AM.png
https://mothership.sg/2021/02/alligator-gar-carcass-macritchie/


Behemoth and Leviathan
PHOTO: Behemoth and Leviathan
In the Old Testament, Leviathan appears in Psalms 74:14 as a multiheaded sea serpent that is killed by God and given as food to the Hebrews in the wilderness. In Isaiah 27:1, Leviathan is a serpent and a symbol of Israel's enemies, who will be slain by God.
Behemoth, in the Old Testament, a powerful, grass-eating animal whose “bones are tubes of bronze, his limbs like bars of iron” (Job 40:18).

To help Job remember his place in the world, God points him to two of the mightiest creatures: the behemoth on land and the leviathan in the sea. These animals were incredibly powerful and frightening to behold. They were no one’s pets—except for God’s. The pride and glory of man paled in comparison to the dreadful, untamable strength of the behemoth and the leviathan. How much more humble is man in God’s presence? And that’s the point. Neither Job nor anyone else has the right to criticize God’s work. The One who created Behemoth is worthy of our reverence, awe, and worship. “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!” (Job 40:2). [2]
Picture saved by Stephen Alexander to Races
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7-HNKWC_D_gMEYlIUHLrOKkU1ba12flnxJH5GevfDL0m_BXw9GPHNPUYR6kVHr5Rd09gA3B3y9uqV3-FVhXLFMSv1_caaO3NMp1QzBXGip6N75f99x29omcoY9cEggaaitubTofg6KM/s797/f64e8bceeb0f346c9866728958541d72.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/f6/4e/8b/f64e8bceeb0f346c9866728958541d72.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AfJ9c08wzjnWeVgy4SWmQ8VYF3Zkm8xuiW38hPyEZUYSqHW7h5ax3TQ/

By Ang Qing, The Straits Times, Asiaone, 18 February 2021 at at 8:38 am
This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.


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Reference
[1] Ang Qing, The Straits Times, Asiaone, Dead alien fish spotted at MacRitchie Reservoir, posted on 18 February 2021 at at 8:38 am, https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/dead-alien-fish-spotted-macritchie-reservoir

[2] Got Questions Ministries, What is the behemoth?, https://www.gotquestions.org/behemoth.html


Links
The Straits Times - https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/monstrous-fish-at-macritchie-identified-as-non-native-alligator-gar

posted - https://www.facebook.com/groups/naturesocietysingapore/permalink/10158809850773213






New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Isaiah 27:1 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+27%3A1&version=NIV

Job 40:2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+40%3A2&version=NIV

Job 40:18 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+40%3A18&version=NIV

Psalms 74:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms+74%3A14&version=NIV

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Saturday, June 14, 2014

New butterfly species fluttering in for a Singapore visit

My Paper, Thursday, June 12, 2014, Page A4, News, Top Stories

VIBRANT: The Red Spot Sawtooth

PHOTO: VIBRANT: The Red Spot Sawtooth is one of the new species spotted here this year.
PHOTO: KHEW SIN KHOON
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUPG54B4skB31lQO8FOBt8ORFwXWnB75kd0t7Qf4T_DyeCnkzuuEKl2JVA7lhOgDy9H_tk_mMfND_11VL-sBvhfDr-DipwEFk2G0N5HNrsdNthfvnUSafDAQoIxaRfWfLUcgmQTaM-AM/s1600/MY_20140612_CKFLY12_P_401401-1.jpg
http://mypaper.sg/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/20140612/MY_20140612_CKFLY12_P_401401.jpg
http://mypaper.sg/top-stories/new-butterfly-species-fluttering-singapore-visit-20140612


IT IS not just the huge swallowtail moth Lyssa zampa that has been appearing in surprisingly large numbers here. A bumper crop of butterfly species has also been spotted this year.

Some species which have never been previously recorded here have made an appearance as well, and are believed to have flown in from across the Causeway.

Experts told My Paper that they have spotted at least five new butterfly species so far this year, compared with the usual two or three spotted yearly. The new species include the Lesser Albatross and the Red Spot Sawtooth.

They have been seen in Sime Forest near Venus Drive, Lower Kent Ridge Road and MacRitchie Reservoir. Most of them flew in over the last few months, starting from April.

Last month, many Singaporeans were reported to have seen the dark-coloured Lyssa zampa moth, which is nearly the size of a person's hand.

National University of Singapore (NUS) ecologist Anuj Jain said erratic weather conditions this year might have led to the rise in butterfly populations in Malaysia, causing more of these migratory species to fly here.

These butterfly species are usually found in the forest and can be found throughout peninsular Malaysia, including the Panti Forest in nearby Johor, he said.

"It's not a conscious migration," he said. "The unusual weather may have triggered a lot of plants to flower in Malaysia. Strong winds could have brought the butterflies here, too."

Butterfly expert Khew Sin Khoon said: "After months of bad drought followed by rain, the sudden growth of new leaves could have prompted butterflies to lay more eggs, contributing to the higher numbers of butterflies in Malaysia and Singapore."

The peak in numbers could also be due to the drop in the number of birds that prey on butterflies and caterpillars, because the avian migratory season has ended, said Mr Khew, who is an honorary research affiliate (subsidiary group) at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum at NUS.

Likewise, local butterflies such as the Lemon Emigrant and Tailed Jay have been observed in greater numbers this year, due to the mass flowering, said Mr Anuj, who also heads the butterfly interest group at the Nature Society of Singapore.

Surveys are still ongoing to tabulate the number of local species observed this year, and the findings should be out by the end of the year, he added.

Butterfly enthusiast Gan Cheong Weei said that the naturalisation of new butterfly species here is an area that "warrants more studies".

The 51-year-old manager, who has been a butterfly watcher since he was a boy, said: "It's nice to have more of them here, but we don't know the impact that they will have on our local species."

Medical technologist Clayton Low spotted a Red Helen butterfly in Lower Kent Ridge Road a month ago. It is believed to have been spotted here for the first time and is almost as big as the Lyssa zampa, said the 30-year-old.

He added: "Hopefully, in time to come, many people will be aware that the number of species of butterflies we have is a good indicator of the biodiversity of plants we have here."

By Carol Khew, mypaper, kcarolyn@sph.com.sg, Published on Jun 12, 2014

 李壮平:东方神女 (Lǐ zhuàng píng: Dōng fāng shén nǚ)


PHOTO: 李壮平:东方神女 (Lǐ zhuàng píng: Dōng fāng shén nǚ)
Li Zhuang Ping: Nude Goddess of the East
Li Zhuang Ping, Male, born 1948, President of Art, China Art Academy, with years of focus and experience, engaging in-depth study of traditional Chinese painting and oil painting. Foster daughter is also a successful painter. In 2008 together with her daughter, Li Qin, they produced oil-painting album "Chinese realism oil painter Li Zhuang-ping (李勤东 lǐ qín dōng) Mountain Goddess (山鬼 shān guǐ) series of paintings collection. It won international acclaim. Also known as Oriental Goddess or Goddess of the East by some.

In this case, while the great oil painter Li Zhuang Ping painted her daughter, Li Qin in the nude, to the despise of the people of China and the authority, one need to look at the actual goods delivered, to decide if this is not another melanine-tainted story.

First, the daughter obviously does not have such big breasts as shown in the paintings, neither does she possesses that physical built. Only the face looked very much like hers.

Secondly, the tiger, leopard and lion are not in captivity in Li's home, or else he or Li Qin would be mauled to death by now. Like these animals, he could have painted them and her daughter from pictorial references, being an expert that he is, this can be easily done. He just needed to take some photos of her daughter in various moods and facial expressions to achieve that, the rest is up to his imagination and inkling.

In short, there is no need for Li Qin to strip naked, stand or sit still in the jungle, with those creatures beside her, for hours. In fact, the body of Li Qin in the painting reminded me of that of top Japanese gravure model, Mikie Hara.
Posted on LOGA VIDEO STATION
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbukDnITuu3mgIUdxENOeJmcjIBVsDlr_6tI0l9pyTgZgzR-9_dX8_Z-hJWiySnQ6l2L32E3_on_o77U4g30KrGJoL7zBvPeOiT_AhB4-G_ZWPbSvK7pQ2wdRVblo67uiJyFQmFRcPijA/s1600/1335701958-57647-46939449113f.jpg
http://nevsepic.com.ua/uploads/posts/2012-04/1335701958-57647-46939449113f.jpg
http://nevsepic.com.ua/art-i-risovanaya-grafika/5214-hudozhnik-li-zhuang-ping-17-rabot.html
http://logavideo.blogspot.sg/2009/01/li-zhuang-ping-goddess-of-east.html - (Texts)



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Friday, November 29, 2013

Gravel grates on trail runners (unpleasant expression)

My Paper, Friday, November 29, 2013, Page A1, News
From http://epaper.mypaper.sg/emnd/fvxen/fvxp/fvxpress.php?param=2013-11-29
Source Website: http://mypaper.sg/news/gravel-grates-trail-runners-20131129
By JACQUELINE WOO, tsjwoo@sph.com.sg, mypaper, Published on Nov 29, 2013

 
CHIPS OF CONTENTION: Parts of a running trail at MacRitchie Reservoir have been paved with gravel chips, drawing the ire of trail runners who prefer to run on natural terrain.
PHOTO: CHIPS OF CONTENTION: Parts of a running trail at MacRitchie Reservoir have been paved with gravel chips, drawing the ire of trail runners who prefer to run on natural terrain.
PHOTO: JASON QUAH/MYPAPER
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh466ETnQxXF7s1g-p3VZo2P-2IffDBqOsd8Z_HD2A4B6i7ps1EF_e54xdkfpH9iWWKkPyfXrvcAtZcd8_rCDnaiViQpTxC-wtmWR0U5jf-5qzwHLJPIE1v0_Jk6BcUebKERsEa9uOodDg/s1600/MY_20131129_P1MY29A_P_56981-1.jpg
http://mypaper.sg/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/20131129/MY_20131129_P1MY29A_P_56981.jpg
http://mypaper.sg/news/gravel-grates-trail-runners-20131129


THEY want nature, in all its rugged glory, and not a sanitised version.

Trail runners are upset that two segments of a trail at MacRitchie Reservoir have been laid with gravel chips.

Claiming that there was already a shortage of natural trails here, some told MyPaper that they were irked by the changes the National Parks Board (NParks) has made to one in the western part of the reservoir.

They said that the gravelled segments - a first they have seen there - are artificial, and rankle with those that enjoy the sport. MyPaper understands that the segments are about 800m long in total.

Mr Wong Tuan Wah, Nparks' director of conservation, said: "As some parts of the MacRitchie nature trails have eroded, we recently laid gravel in those areas."

He explained that NParks carries out "regular maintenance works on trails in the interest of public safety".

The trails in MacRitchie Reservoir made the news in September, when retiree Larry Quah proposed that a path there be cleared after he tripped over a stone and cracked two ribs. Netizens slammed his suggestion, telling him to leave the nature trail alone.

Back then, NParks had said it is "not feasible to remove all the rocks and cut all branches and roots of trees along a trail in a nature reserve".

Adventure racing coach Wilson Low, who runs at the reservoir about thrice a month, estimates that the gravel chips were laid down about two weeks ago.

He said: "Smoothening out the trail with gravel means that runners will experience a very sanitised version of nature."

The 30-year-old added: "Already, there are so few of such natural running trails in Singapore. Why destroy it?"

Mr Ford Lim, 26, founder of running community Ultra-running Singapore, called the move by NParks "disappointing".

It was the original trail, with its loose rocks and ruggedness, that appealed to like-minded trail runners, he said. "A lot of us are not going back there to run anymore."

Others like Mr Lexxus Tan, 41, a full-time trainer with the F1 Runners' Team, said: "(On natural terrain), you need to look and think carefully where you step. But with the trail so smooth now, all the challenge is gone."

But at least one trail runner, Mr Joe Chua, 37, said he does not think the change is such a big deal: "Hopefully, after six months or so, the gravel chips will be covered by soil and runoffs again."

By JACQUELINE WOO, tsjwoo@sph.com.sg, mypaper, Published on Nov 29, 2013


Trail, road & mountain ultra running
PHOTO: Trail, road & mountain ultra running
A course that encompassed mountains, grassland trails, compacted gravel trails, old roads, new roads, hard packed trails, bog, loose rock trails and open countryside. The course was tough and suits those athletes that are used to running on hard terrain for about 40 to 50 miles.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wbJ5F9-yAzA_fnf1bj3KtZQD4jnp_f3WHGSc9tB4otZfANGfdlzHU8bYorbTtBMo1T1AR8ok__GQa5ASj1ArCK1r2ej-VQ0zmoG0bWUa4E8G6TMHRkFoMeSk8EzeREu6-3veZJRRuhU/s1600/1175534_571168786276017_413892219_n%5B1%5D.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xGdHPxoJrW7sx3EjFTQkzQcjIhRWibE79-93tP2M93otjPWI3TASqmIMWiDHlxjKXnNyWt7XwSNAfYl1G2n-Kj52zjot4oCa61WiJOq5e6VtuFwXLatLyeDU2W0vYXdfftaTwBNipJk/s930/1175534_571168786276017_413892219_n%255B1%255D.jpg
http://runningmad-dan.blogspot.sg/2011/07/iau-trail-world-championships-2011-race.html



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