A wildlife photographer in Singapore recently had a special moment, spotting a male sambar deer for the first time. However, the rare sighting also made him think about the recent accidents involving these animals and what more can be done to protect them.
A First Look at a Male Sambar Deer
The photographer, Lee, who posts on Instagram as @leehcn.wildlife, shared his exciting experience on a Facebook group called “Singapore Wildlife Sightings.” He had often seen a herd of sambar deer while driving near the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR), but he had never seen a male before.
Late one night, he was watching a few female deer when he finally saw what he had been hoping for—a male deer with antlers. “It was an exciting experience getting to finally see one in person,” he said. Lee added in his post that the male deer was “the only male in the herd, keeping watch against any potential threats.” He estimated the animal was a full-grown stag, about 1.5 meters tall.
Raising Awareness
Despite his excitement, Lee couldn’t help but feel concerned about the recent fatal road accidents involving sambar deer. He said, “We need to do better.”
Lee acknowledged the efforts of the National Parks Board (NParks) in putting up barriers to keep animals off the expressways. However, he believes more can be done to make the public aware of areas where animals are likely to cross the road. “But I do think more effort can be made to make the public aware of hotspots for animal crossings,” he noted.
He also suggested that stricter speed limits in these areas could help. He mentioned that in national parks he has visited in the United States, Canada, and Australia, there are clear signs warning drivers about wildlife.
While he admitted that it’s impossible to completely prevent these accidents, Lee said the public has an important role to play. He stressed that drivers need to be aware that these animals exist and should be careful when driving in these areas.
