No further sightings of crocodile at Sentosa; suspension of water activities lifted
Members of the public are, however, advised to adhere to safety signage and instructions and to report any crocodile sightings or encounters to NParks, said the Sentosa Development Corporation.
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SINGAPORE: Water activities at Sentosa have resumed after the Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) said on Sunday (Feb 8) that there had been no further sightings of a crocodile near the island.
The crocodile was first spotted in the waters off Sentosa Cove on Jan 31, and the activities were suspended at Sentosa's Siloso, Palawan and Tanjong beaches as a precautionary measure following the sighting.
This caused concern and disappointment among beachgoers.
SDC has since been conducting daily surveillance and coordinated patrols with the National Parks Board (NParks), said an SDC spokesperson.
"Based on the current assessment, water activities, including swimming, kayaking and organised events, can resume with immediate effect," the spokesperson added.
Members of the public are, however, advised to adhere strictly to safety signage and instructions on the ground and to report any sightings of or encounters with a crocodile to NParks' Animal Response Centre.
The spokesperson said that SDC will continue to work closely with relevant authorities to ensure public safety, adding that it will take further action if the situation changes.
SDC said last Saturday night that it and NParks had been alerted to the animal earlier in the day.
This marked the first reported crocodile sighting in Sentosa's waters to date, and it was reportedly seen again on Sunday in the waters off Marina South Pier.
In response to the animal's sighting, the Singapore Land Authority on Sunday also advised members of the public to avoid water activities at St John’s, Seringat, Lazarus and Kusu islands until further notice.
On Wednesday, the Republic of Singapore Navy said that it had enhanced monitoring after a crocodile was detected in the waters near Changi Naval Base.
In 2023, a nearly 3m-long saltwater crocodile was put down due to public safety concerns. It had been sighted on a beach at Marina East Drive and later found near East Coast Park.
Then Senior Minister of State for National Development Tan Kiat How said the crocodile had been assessed to pose a "significant risk" to public safety.
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