A notable highlight of our species recovery programme for native biodiversity in the past year was the successful captive brooding of the critically endangered and endemic Swamp Forest Crab (Parathelphusa reticulata). Over 300 crablets were produced in captivity, complementing earlier success with the captive brooding of the Singapore Freshwater Crab (Johora singaporensis).

NParks successfully translocated batches of the Harlequin butterfly (Taxila haquinus) to Pasir Ris Park and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve while new populations of the Cinnamon Bush Frog (Nyctixalus pictus) were successfully translocated to suitable sites outside nature reserves.

The Species Recovery Programme was updated with a current total of 67 plant species identified in the first volume of the Flora of Singapore published in October 2019. Over the past year, the Native Plant Centre and Singapore Botanic Gardens successfully propagated more than 6,000 plants. Over 2,000 of these were subsequently planted in more than 30 sites in our nature reserves, streetscapes, and parks.

Three orchid species were also reintroduced into the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, while seven orchid species had hundreds of individuals propagated. For the first time, seeds of rare species such as Lophopetalum pallidum were collected during the 2019 masting event. Zingiber singapurense, Singapore's endemic ginger species, was also made available to the public for the first time in May 2019's edition of the Gardener's Day Out event. This species, along with three others, were propagated via tissue culture.

In conservation research, some 200 species new to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve were listed during a comprehensive survey conducted by NParks together with researchers from various institutions and enthusiasts. Amongst them were at least 30 species of spiders and 10 species of beetles that are potentially new to Singapore. These findings contribute to the increasing scientific value of the Reserve and emphasise how it should continue to be safeguarded.

Work has started on the Southern Islands Biodiversity Survey. To be carried out with the involvement of academia and nature interest groups, findings from this two-year long survey will help formulate biodiversity management plans for the southern waters. It will also provide opportunities to collect rare or endangered species for propagation and to engage in deeper outreach and education on Singapore's biodiversity.

Other conservation research efforts include the conclusion of a study on seagrass resilience and connectivity that has led to a better understanding of the interaction between pockets of biodiversity, as well as ongoing work to keep Singapore's coastal and marine habitat map updated. This will help in assessing habitat changes and preparing a shoreline type map suitable for oil spill response planning purposes.

Conservation efforts for the Raffles' Banded Langur (Presbytis femoralis femoralis) were boosted with the opening of the 50-ha Thomson Nature Park in October 2019. More than one third of the native trees planted are known to be food plants of the langurs while ecological connectivity across Old Upper Thomson Road, which buffers the site, was enhanced during the park's development.

NParks worked with the Raffles' Banded Langur Working Group to identify locations to situate rope bridges for the safe movement of the langur and other arboreal animals. In a first for Singapore, a Roadway Animal Detection System (RADS) that uses video analytics to detect animals when they are near the road and alerts oncoming motorists, is being tested along Old Upper Thomson Road.

Watch video to learn more about Thomson Nature Park.

The Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) is a frequent visitor to Singapore, one of several thousand birds that fly from their breeding grounds in the Northern hemisphere to tide over the cold winter months in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

To strengthen efforts in conserving Singapore's rich biodiversity, NParks adopts a science-based approach to manage the wildlife, and companion and community animals in our city, by employing ecological and social tools to minimise human-animal conflicts.

The transfer of animal-related and plant science functions to NParks coupled with the formation of the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) in April 2019 is a boost to Singapore's multi-disciplinary approach to conservation. Combined expertise from ecologists, conservationists, veterinarians and laboratory diagnosticians enables NParks to better manage increasingly complex challenges.

As human, animal and environmental health are intrinsically linked to one another, NParks participates actively in local interagency workgroups (One Health AMR Workgroup) and also represents Singapore at the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), where new international standards and guidelines on animal health and welfare are adopted.

At home, AVS ensures animal welfare, as well as public and animal health through efforts such as licensing and overseeing the management of pet shops, ornamental fish farms and captive bird farms. It also conducts surveillance of livestock like chickens, food fish at local farms and border checkpoints.

These inspections, including on poultry from Malaysia and pigs from Malaysia and Indonesia help ensure that the animals are healthy and meet Singapore's animal health import requirements.

To further safeguard public and animal health, some imported dogs and cats, which tend to be more susceptible to incur rabies, are quarantined upon arrival. For this FY, coastal fish farm dogs continued to benefit from AVS' annual free rabies vaccination exercise held together with veterinarians and volunteers from polytechnics.

Since June 2019, AVS has oversight of 10 equine establishments in Singapore, allowing for better surveillance for potential diseases to be detected, contained and treated early.

Singapore is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and NParks is the national authority responsible for the implementation and enforcement of CITES in Singapore. We take a zero tolerance stance on illegal trade and keeping of CITES-listed species (including their parts and derivatives), as well as the use of Singapore as a conduit to smuggle or engage in illegal trade of CITES-listed species.

NParks works closely with the Singapore Customs and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority in the global effort to stem illegal trade in CITES-listed species. Between April and July 2019, a record total of 37.5 tonnes of pangolin scales and nearly 9 tonnes of elephant ivory were seized to prevent them from re-entering the market. This position to protect endangered wildlife was strengthened with the announcement to ban domestic trade in elephant ivory.

With effect from 1 September 2021, the sale of elephant ivory and ivory products and public display of elephant ivory and ivory products for the purpose of sale will be prohibited in Singapore.

To strengthen capacity in this area, NParks is building up our forensic capabilities. This science can determine the origin of seized species which in turn helps in the tracking of the source of the illegal trade. NParks researchers work with international counterparts in sampling seized consignments. We have also conducted forensics on wood smuggled illegally into Singapore to ascertain their species and origin.

To combat AMR, AVS licenses veterinarians, feed mills, and food farms in Singapore, and specifies the types of antimicrobials that cannot be used in animal feed and food-producing animals. In 2019, AVS also started working with the Singapore Veterinary Association on the inaugural National Vaccination Guidelines for Dogs and Cats, with the objective to improve vaccination rates and practices, promote preventative health and contribute to our efforts to tackle AMR.

While much of the work that AVS does (such as surveillance, risk assessment and research) is conducted behind laboratory doors, pet owners can also help play their part to mitigate AMR. Efforts to collectively combat AMR include ensuring the prudent usage of antibiotics, focusing more on preventative health strategies (e.g. vaccination, good hygiene) and encouraging pet owners to use only prescribed antibiotics and avoid using or sharing leftover medication with other pet owners. AVS has also been leveraging outreach initiatives such as surveys and exhibition panels at Pets' Day Out to heighten public awareness of AMR. These help to highlight the impact AMR can have on our daily lives.