'It's detective work': Finding and counting Singapore's otters

Singapore is undertaking its third population census of smooth-coated otters, a project relying heavily on dedicated citizen scientists. The effort highlights both the commitment to wildlife monitoring and the challenges inherent in tracking these elusive creatures.

A Community Effort

Since 2017, individuals like Ms. Marjorie Chong have regularly observed and documented the otters. Ms. Chong, a member of the Otter Working Group, typically spends two to three times a week observing the semiaquatic animals. This dedication extended to an intensive two-month period where she and 20 other volunteers devoted approximately 400 hours to data collection for the census.

Did You Know? Volunteers dedicated roughly 400 hours over two months to collect data for Singapore’s otter census.

The collected data, consisting of photographs and observational notes, was then verified by Ms. Michelle Tan. Ms. Tan completed this verification as part of her final-year project while studying life sciences at the National University of Singapore (NUS), submitting her work in April 2025.

The Elusive Nature of Wildlife Monitoring

The census process itself underscores the difficulty of accurately counting wild animal populations. Even those familiar with otter habitats find the animals can be hard to locate. As Ms. Chong noted, “A refrain that you hear often is, oh the otters, they are everywhere … but when you actually count them, (they are) not that easy to find.”

Expert Insight: The reliance on volunteer observers and the subsequent data verification process demonstrates a pragmatic approach to wildlife monitoring, acknowledging the need for both widespread observation and rigorous quality control. This model could be valuable in other contexts where comprehensive data collection requires significant manpower.

The census is currently undergoing scientific review, and the findings are expected to be published later this year. A possible next step following publication could be the implementation of conservation strategies informed by the census data. Analysts expect that the results may influence future urban planning decisions to better accommodate the otters’ habitat. It is also likely to spur further research into the behavior and population dynamics of these animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long has Ms. Chong been watching otters?

Ms. Chong has been watching otters since 2017.

Who verified the data collected by the volunteers?

Ms. Michelle Tan, a life sciences student at the National University of Singapore (NUS), verified the data as part of her final-year project.

When was Ms. Tan’s project submitted?

Ms. Tan submitted her project in April 2025.

What does the future hold for Singapore’s smooth-coated otter population, and how will this census contribute to their long-term well-being?

‘It’s detective work’: Finding and counting Singapore’s otters