SINGAPORE, Feb 3 — Bags containing caged cotton-top tamarins, which are critically endangered, were abandoned at the Night Safari’s service gate recently, said Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) in a Facebook post today.
The park operator stated that the animals were probably meant for illegal pet trade, “but something must have gone wrong and the perpetrators decided to dump the animals”.
Other animals that were abandoned at the Night Safari recently included prairie dogs and marmosets, said WRS.
“Each year, hundreds of illegal pets arrive at our doorsteps in this manner or as confiscations,” the park operator said. “It is a challenge for us to absorb all into our collection, given the limited space and resources we have.”
Members of the public can help stop the problem by simply not buying illegal pets, said WRS. “If there is no demand, poaching will stop.” — TODAY
