I want to share a frightening and unpleasant experience I had today at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. I know many members visit regularly. Today I was walking along the new Coastal Trail - a reconnaissance visit in preparation for taking my students on a field trip. I have been to the Reserve quite a few times before, but had not seen the new extension.
As I approached the Eagle Point Lookout, I heard dogs barking. Suddenly there were 4 dogs trotting toward me, growling and barking. Obviously they were being territorial and so I starting walking away. They continued to run towards me even faster, barking and growling aggressively. It was terrifying, but I knew I had to stop and turn to face them. I held my bag out on front of me and told them "NO" over and over. They kept coming towards me (but walking now) as I backed up. When I had backed all the way off the boardwalk to the main path they trotted back to the lookout.
Shaken, I continued along the path (no chance I was going back up that boardwalk), only to be confronted by them again, further along. As soon as they saw me, they ran barking and growling towards me. I again did my best to be "calm assertive". It was a very tense and desperate stand-off for about 5 minutes. Suddenly they decided to trot past me and continue on their way.
I am sharing this as it was VERY frightening, very dangerous, and could have gone very badly if I had done what many people would do, which is turn and run. They were big dogs and I am a small lady. I hate to think of a mother and small children being in this situation.
I have never seen wild/stray dogs be so bold and aggressive before. I continued to the Wetland Centre, where I reported the incident. A kind Ranger drove me back to the Visitor centre as I was too afraid to go back down the path by myself. They are aware of the dog pack problem, but were concerned at the aggressive behaviour I experienced today. I have always felt very safe walking alone in Singapore's nature reserves, but now I am not so sure. I will not go back to Sungei Buloh alone ever again.
Melanie Halliday
*Article first appeared on https://www.facebook.com/groups/naturesocietysingapore/permalink/1015315...