SINGAPORE : For the better part of yesterday, Mr Chris Lau made
several frustrating phone calls while two whitebellied sea eagles
lay motionless on his balcony.
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The large birds standing at least a foot tall with razorsharp
beaks and claws had appeared mysteriously at his Jalan Kayu home
and seemed to be injured.
Shocked and worried about the bird flu, Mr Lau, 43, immediately
called the Ministry of National Development general hotline, and
was directed to the AgriFood and Veterinary Authoritys (AVA)
Centre for Animal Welfare and Control. He claimed he was advised to
call the National Environment Agency (NEA).
While waiting for the latter to return his call, the businessman
tried the Singapore Zoological Gardens, which told him to contact
the Jurong BirdPark.
"I didnt expect it to be a wholeday affair. I couldnt do
anything myself, I just had to wait as I was directed from one
agency to another," said Mr Lau, who was advised not to handle the
birds as they could turn aggressive.
After about an hour, one of the two eagles stood up. At about 5pm
six hours after Mr Lau first spotted the birds help arrived. The
officer from Jurong BirdPark got the live eagle into a cage, while
its lifeless partner was placed in a black bag. The speculation was
that the pair had been in a fight before crashing into the
balcony.
In such rare instances where wildlife find their way into homes,
how should members of the public deal with them?
In response to Todays queries, Jurong BirdPark said the best
agency to deal with the kind of situation Mr Lau found himself in
was the AVA.
The AVA advises the public to call its Centre for Animal Welfare
and Control should any wild animals or birds enter their homes and
refuse to leave, despite attempts to shoo them away. The public
should, however, refrain from harming the animals, said its
spokesman.
Only in cases of emergency, where the animal poses a danger to
public safety or damages property, should people call the police,
added the AVA.
It cited bats and iguanas as among the animals that have made their
way into homes.
The NEA said any matter concerning the welfare of wildlife should
be referred to the AVA but should the public spot any dead bird or
animal in a public area, they should contact the NEA, which will
arrange for the carcass to be collected and disposed of
appropriately. TODAY/ra
