tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post2005235306323285827..comments2024-03-19T18:44:15.041+08:00Comments on Little Stories: Snakes and Other CreaturesGilbert Koh aka Mr Wanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027678080233274309noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-33104422137115051962011-01-07T08:30:49.492+08:002011-01-07T08:30:49.492+08:00I have recently visited the Tiger temple in Thaila...I have recently visited the Tiger temple in Thailand as well and before visiting the temple, I was also aware of the rumours. But after visiting the temple, I am incline to think that the rumours were just what they were........ Rumours.<br /><br />1) There were about 75 tigers in the compound and they lived alongside chicken, boars, antelopes, ox, cows .....etc (The other animals also look healthy and active. It would be weird if there were so many animals at the same place but ONLY the tigers were tortured right?)<br /><br />2) There were many volunteers there (Mainly Thai, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and U.S) and many of them have been volunteering for many months (some even years)we had a good chat with them. They admitted that there were accidents and one even had his finger tip bitten off by by a cub but he did mention that it was a pure accident. (He was feeding the cub, put his hand too close) They also did mentioned that it was most likely due to some 'politics' (not all volunteers get along with one another) that these rumours started.<br /><br />3) The tigers we saw were rather active and they were willing to play with the volunteers and monks in the temple. Nothing in their actions seem reluctant. (Then again, I am no animal behavioural expert)<br /><br />I guess you have to see if for yourself to make your own judgement.<br /><br />Chong HanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-81584110492759242982011-01-02T16:13:17.911+08:002011-01-02T16:13:17.911+08:00Sometimes the solution can be so simple, well with...Sometimes the solution can be so simple, well within the means and scope of those with the knowledge and authority - publicize it.<br /><br />A well researched publication can be compiled with pictures, info and advice can be issued to every household and updated as and when nec. It would cost the govt very little more than the sort of printed materials it is already pushing out to Singaporeans.<br /><br />Another form is to provide info at the sites themselves in the form of signboards with details, pictures etc of the flora and fauna to be found in them.<br /><br />Let not the education of Singaporeans be confined only to formal teaching in classrooms. The govt seem to lack a desire for informal education of outside of the classroom. That is perhaps many Singaporeans are considered 'dumb' in many ways and lacking in social skills, mannerism and not street smart.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-76263626071566937802011-01-01T12:19:41.509+08:002011-01-01T12:19:41.509+08:00I know you probably meant it as a figure of speech...I know you probably meant it as a figure of speech, but it's misleading.<br /><br />"A hummingbird is so small, and so delicately and carefully designed by Mother Nature."<br /><br />Do you believe in evolution? It is more accurate to say "evolved" rather than "designed".hansolonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-15468977469795251602010-12-31T18:00:29.576+08:002010-12-31T18:00:29.576+08:00Ya, there are far more important things for the po...Ya, there are far more important things for the police to do than catching snakes.<br /><br />And there are far more dangerous and common things that cause more deaths than snake bites.<br /><br />So, be lucky and stay alive and well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-49706490776467285092010-12-30T16:50:55.583+08:002010-12-30T16:50:55.583+08:00I think the 'hummingbird' you encountered ...I think the 'hummingbird' you encountered & saved was most likely a sunbird, as hummingbirds are exclusively American and are not found in the wild in Singapore.<br /><br />I once visited the temple in Thailand that lets you take photos with captive tigers, but it appears that the story about the temple being a rescue centre for orphaned cubs is a front; a lot of abuse & mistreatment goes on there, the tigers and the tigers are being exploited solely & bred for the sake of profits. After I found out about the criticisms, I felt guilty for having supported such a place in the past.<br /><br />In any case, nice post. I personally don't see why people need to freak out every time they see a snake; seems like most of the snakes that ACRES rescues are pythons, and yes, although cobras are dangerous, I'm sure most people are blissfully unaware that there are cobras, and encounters must be quite rare indeed. My only brush with a cobra was on Ubin, where my friends and I saw a cobra resting on the ground next to a dirt track, and as we started photographing it from a safe distance, it slithered off into the vegetation, disturbed by our presence.<br /><br />Besides, the pythons and cobras play an important role in feeding on rats.<br /><br />I've once rescued a common wolf snake, a small harmless species that's often found in urban areas, where it feeds on geckos. I held it by the back of the head, and while it coiled tightly around my head, it did not struggle much and I released it into the bushes.Ivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11637204084596462318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-38725448844283041032010-12-30T14:34:06.626+08:002010-12-30T14:34:06.626+08:00People can call ACRES if they find wild animals in...People can call ACRES if they find wild animals in or near their homes and want to relocate the animals back to a suitable habitat: <br /><br />http://acres.org.sg/wildlife_animalfound.htm<br />http://acres.org.sg/wildlife_nativewildlife.html<br /><br />Ms Tang and her dad would be appalled to learn that snakes are much more common (and mostly harmless) all over Singapore than most people think.budakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07693717163007410639noreply@blogger.com