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SINGAPORE \u2013 Ms Audrey Wong first noticed something was awry when bananas went missing from the kitchen of her Bukit Timah home on April 21.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also heard noises coming from the kitchen at night, but we didn\u2019t see anything unusual,\u201d the 50-year-old professional told The Straits Times on May 2, adding that the family thought a rat had taken the bananas initially.<\/p>\n
Ms Wong explained that rats would enter the house once in a long while, but they do not pose a big issue, and the family usually set up traps when they notice rats around.<\/p>\n
After bananas went missing again, Ms Wong proceeded to set up a trap on April 27 to catch a rat \u2013 only to be shocked the next morning when she found a civet cat in the trap. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe civet was quite big, and it was hissing at us from inside the cage, which was quite scary,\u201d Ms Wong recalled.<\/p>\n
As there are vast forested areas near her home and in the wider Bukit Timah area, residents are no stranger to wildlife in the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see squirrels, green parrots, hornbills, kingfishers and monkeys in the back garden occasionally,\u201d said Ms Wong, who has lived in her home for 30 years.<\/p>\n
However, it was the first time she encountered a common palm civet, and she was not sure how to approach the animal, which she estimated to be between 40cm and 50cm long.<\/p>\n
Ms Wong then decided to contact the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) for assistance, and its officers arrived a few hours later.<\/p>\n
Upon assessing the situation, the animal welfare group sought Ms Wong and her family\u2019s consent to release the civet back into the forested area behind her house, instead of removing it from the environment.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey explained that the civet\u2019s family is likely in the region, and removing it from the environment entirely will cause it a lot of stress,\u201d Ms Wong said, adding that she agreed with the group\u2019s suggestion.<\/p>\n
The civet was subsequently released back to the forested area.<\/p>\n
Ms Wong said she still sees the animal in her back garden occasionally, but it has not entered the house again.<\/p>\n
To prevent a similar encounter, Ms Wong now ensures that her kitchen windows are closed.<\/p>\n
The family have also stopped leaving fruits out in the open, opting instead to leave the bananas in the microwave oven and other fruits in the fridge.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe civet had entered through the kitchen windows, which we sometimes forget to close,\u201d Ms Wong said, adding that the civet might have come from the Singapore Botanic Gardens nearby.<\/p>\n
Despite being frightened by the civet initially, she said she found the encounter a learning experience rather than an unpleasant memory.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs urban development continues, I think such interactions between humans and wildlife will only increase. It is important to know how to react to such encounters,\u201d Ms Wong said.<\/p>\n
She also urged other people who have similar encounters to contact ACRES if they are unsure about how to approach the animal.<\/p>\n
The public can call ACRES\u2019 wildlife rescue hotline on 9783-7782 from 7am to 1am daily. <\/p>\n
Those who come across civets that are injured, stressed or distressed are advised to call the National Parks Board\u2019s (NParks) Animal Response Centre on 1800-476-1600 for assistance.<\/p>\n
Do not touch, chase or corner the civet as this may further stress or injure the animal, NParks said in an advisory on its website. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe civet may also bite in self-defence,\u201d it warned, adding that those who have been bitten or attacked by the animal should seek medical attention immediately.<\/p>\n
The Straits Times has contacted ACRES for more information.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n