Tragic Tale of Punggol’s Otter Family
In just three months, the once lively group of otters that called Punggol beach and Coney Island home went from nine bright‑eyed members to a skeleton crew of four.
The Latest Heart‑Breaker
Last Saturday (Sept 5), a four‑month‑old pup was found lifeless on the sand, a fishing hook lodged in its throat.
For days the pup lurched near Punggol beach, fishing line dangling from its mouth. Despite the National Parks Board, ACRES, and Ottercity’s valiant rescue attempts, they couldn’t capture or treat the spry creature.
Hook‑Trauma Details
- The hook was barely over a centimetre long.
- It left the pup starved and aching, similar to the agony of a fishbone stuck in the throat.
- Other pups from the same family have suffered heavily—one in July was caught by a double hook that snared both its mouth and front paw.
Beach‑Hook Warning
Because Punggol’s coast is a fishing hotspot, Ottercity urges anglers to:
- Properly dispose of used hooks.
- Be extra careful when wildlife wanders close to nets and lines.
- Remember that discarded hooks can hurt not just animals but beachgoers—kids, beachcombers, you name it.
“We humans know how to get help. Wildlife doesn’t,” the group added.
Family Losses So Far
The family’s mother has gone, and three pups have vanished. The community is now left with only four hopeful members.
Keeping an Eye on the Tragedy
For continued updates, check the latest posts from Ottercity’s Facebook feed (just type in the name and scroll).
