A Bukit Timah resident was left shocked and devastated after waking up to discover that his pet fish had been killed, presumably by a group of otters.
A Bukit Timah resident was left shocked and devastated after waking up to discover that his pet fish had been killed, presumably by a group of otters.
Yuen Ying Tham, who has lived in a landed property on Berrima Road since 2002, had two ponds in his home where he reared koi fish, a hobby he had enjoyed for over 20 years. For the past two decades, there had been no incidents of otter invasions or similar problems.
However, on the morning of Oct. 2, Tham was met with a horrifying sight – nearly all of his prized koi and other fish were wiped out. He had been keeping 23 koi, some of which had been with him for over 15 years, as well as more than 20 algae-eating fish and two albino sucker fish. Now, only one injured koi, one algae eater, and one albino sucker remain.
The ponds were filled with fish carcasses, many partially eaten or missing heads, leaving Tham devastated. One koi in particular had large chunks missing from its body, a clear sign of the brutal attack.
“The otters trespassed onto our property and killed my beloved koi,” Tham shared. In addition to the loss of his fish, the pond’s piping system was also damaged during the invasion.
Likely Culprits
Based on the extent of the damage and the way the fish were eaten, Tham speculates that otters were responsible. Living near the Singapore Botanic Gardens, which is home to the well-known Zouk otter family, Tham had previously spotted otters near his house, but he never expected them to enter his property, which is located deep among other homes and on top of a hill.
Nature enthusiast and otter-watcher Bernard Seah confirmed that otters were the likely culprits, though he noted that the condition of one koi was unusual. Seah suggested that other fish might have fed on the carcass after the otters killed it.
Traumatized by the Incident
Although CCTV cameras at the front of the house didn’t capture any footage of the otters, Tham believes they likely entered from the back through gaps in the fencing. When asked if he would fortify the fencing, he explained that due to the size and design of his property, such measures would be difficult without major renovations.
Following this traumatic incident, Tham no longer feels safe keeping fish and has decided not to rear any more koi.
“My 30-year hobby was destroyed in one night,” he said. “I’m too traumatised to keep any more fish, as I feel Singapore is no longer safe or conducive for hobbyists like me.”
Should Otters Be Culled?
While there have been several incidents of otters killing pet fish, National University of Singapore lecturer and biologist N. Sivasothi has previously stated that the otter population does not require culling. Territorial disputes between otter families help regulate their numbers, despite their increasing presence in urban areas. Once classified as “Critically Endangered” in Singapore, smooth-coated otters are now listed as “Endangered” locally.
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