By Mac Bellingham
I’m sure you’ve heard of the term ‘invasive species’ before. In a science textbook, in a newspaper article, in a throwaway conversation. But do you actually know what it means?
One of Singapore’s major threats to its wildlife is invasive species. According to National Geographic, invasive species are organisms that are not native to a specific area which then causes great damage to the local ecosystem. They are typically quite aggressive and adaptable, leading to them overthrowing native or endemic species that rely on the same food source and resources of the area.
An example of a non-native and invasive species in Singapore is the red-eared slider. They are turtles with a red stripe across their forehead, you have probably seen them around, in rivers, pet stores, or perhaps in your own household as a pet. In reality, they are one of the worst invasive species in Singapore.
These turtles are often bought from pet stores as babies, often as impulse buys. Owners of these turtles often don’t realise how big they grow up to be (up to 28cm), and once they grow, the owners abandon them into local lakes and ponds. I’m sure many of you relate to this experience. I know I do. This is a very harmful action, as these turtles are quite adaptable. They can survive in a range of temperatures and different freshwaters, and breed quite fast. One turtle that lives in Singapore, the Malayan Box Turtle, lays 1-6 eggs in each batch. Comparatively, red-eared sliders can lay up to 25. These turtles have slowly been taking over our ecosystems and driving away endemic species. This disrupts the balance each habitat brings, causing an ecological imbalance.
Another example of a non-native species causing disruption is the Javan Myna. The Javan Myna has become the most common bird in Singapore. You have probably seen it hundreds of times even if you’ve only lived in Singapore for a short time. If you do not know what they are, they are black birds with yellow beaks, eyes, and legs. They are very loud and disruptive and are always trying to steal food. Due to the fact that they have found a good deal of success in Singapore, there are now virtually no Javan Mynas left in Java. I shouldn’t have to point out the irony in that.
So what does this mean for the future of Singapore’s ecosystem? Is this the way we are headed; other native species dying out while they start harassing our own endemic species and community? Well, not necessarily. We can still change this if we try. Avoid impulse-buying pets, especially pet turtles. I know they may seem tempting, and an easy pet to take care of, but in reality, you are most likely not suitable to take care of them.
Secondly, you should avoid putting out food that can attract birds such as Javan Mynahs. That encourages them to keep coming back and to keep leaving their native land. Finally, as cliché, as it may sound, spreading the word is really important. Send the message to your family, friends, neighbours, and anyone you know who may unknowingly contribute to this issue. It’s vital to our ecosystem that people know about this and helps stop it. Otherwise, no real change will happen