Singapore’s Role in Regional Conservation: Challenges and Opportunities
- Kelly Ong
- May 14
- 1 min read
In a recent Straits Times feature on Singapore’s wildlife breeding programmes, Asst. Prof. Zeng Yiwen shared insights on the broader implications of biodiversity conservation in Southeast Asia, highlighting both its ecological importance and systemic challenges.
While high-profile breeding efforts at Mandai Wildlife Group have seen success in helping species like the oriental pied hornbill and the Malayan tapir, Prof. Yiwen emphasized that many lesser-known species across the region continue to face extinction threats without similar attention or support. “Biodiversity conservation efforts tend to have a bias towards charismatic animals like tigers, lions, and cute ones like koalas,” he noted. “This means that some species and groups of species may get overlooked and may receive less conservation attention and funding.”
Beyond individual species, Prof. Yiwen stressed that wildlife plays vital ecological roles in maintaining healthy ecosystems. From seed dispersal to pest control, many animals contribute in ways that benefit humanity directly. For instance, flying foxes, which are large fruit bats native to Singapore, are some of the most effective natural pollinators of durian trees, an example of how overlooked species can play crucial roles in sustaining local agriculture and livelihoods.
However, these species face mounting pressures. “The threats that fauna in the region primarily face include habitat loss brought about by deforestation and land-use change, as well as overexploitation through resource extraction and the wildlife trade,” Prof. Yiwen explained.
The article underscores a key message: conserving biodiversity is not just about protecting iconic species, but about sustaining the complex web of life that underpins Southeast Asia’s ecological and economic resilience.
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