'Nothing special': Residents near Pandan Reservoir shrug off crocodile sighting

A crocodile sighting at Pandan Reservoir caused little alarm among local residents. The national water agency, PUB, received a call about a crocodile at the reservoir around 3pm on Thursday. Retiree Mr Ng was planning to cycle to the reservoir on Friday morning to try spotting the crocodile, but found the waters empty. Another retiree, Andrew, walked by the reservoir at 7pm on Thursday and did not notice anything unusual.

A foreign worker informed CNA that the reservoir had mostly empty on Friday morning, with only a few foreign workers resting in the shade. PUB was alerted to the crocodile sighting and informed the National Parks Board. Both agencies are conducting a search and capture operation in the area, and water activities have been suspended.

A spokesperson for the Singapore Rowing Association said the suspension has affected its members' training, and they are conducting indoor sessions. The Singapore Canoe Federation has advised its affiliates to cease all water activities at Pandan Reservoir until further notice. A resident, Mr Mohd Shairunizam, said the reservoir usually has monitor lizards, which sometimes look like crocodiles.

Chinese student Zhu De Tao, who had not heard about the crocodile sighting, said the situation is "totally fine" and joked about taking a picture of the crocodile and posting it on TikTok. PUB advised the public to stay calm if they encounter a crocodile and to report any sightings to the appropriate authorities.