Saw a snake on campus? That’s actually a good thing

By Prisca Lim

Last month, a 2-metre-long reticulated python was spotted in a Hall of Residence 15 toilet. PHOTO: LUCAS LEONG

THE giant snake that slithered its way into Hall of Residence 15 has already been caught, but the spate of animal sightings in NTU is far from over.

Students said they often encounter wild animals on campus, including boars, monkeys and even the rare pangolin.

But these wild animal sightings could actually be an indicator of NTU’s success in its efforts of being a green campus, said Professor William Chen, academic advisor of EarthlinkNTU, an environmental club based in the University.

“Despite the rapid growth of human activity on campus, the fact that we still see wild animals reflects well on NTU’s efforts in environment protection and nature preservation,” said Prof Chen.

Wild animals are a common sight because of the abundance of forested areas around campus where these animals live, resulting in them wandering onto campus grounds from time to time, a statement from the University said.

On 12 Oct, a 2-metre-long python was caught by pest control officers in Hall of Residence 15.
In August last year, a cobra and a python were spotted attacking each other near a bus stop outside the Research Techno Plaza.

Videos of pangolins spotted at various locations in NTU, such as near Canteen 2, have also been making rounds on social media.

Last year, Earthlink NTU even organised a Pangolins Rise Symposium, which included the discussion of the numerous pangolin sightings on campus.

Students the Nanyang Chronicle spoke to said that they like seeing wild animals, such as monkeys or wild boars on campus, as the unusual occurrence is exciting.

Second-year Nanyang Business School student Tan Yi Lin, 20, who has seen wild boars near Hall 9, said that seeing the animals makes her feel “close to nature”.

“I don’t really get the chance to see these wild animals outside of school,” she added.

First-year Common Engineering student Abdul Hakim, 21, also said he is not surprised when he sees wild animals around as there are many forested areas in NTU.

He even shared to his friends Snapchat videos of a monkey he spotted near Canteen 2.

However, second-year School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences student Eugene Pang, 23, felt that it is important to keep a distance from wild animals, as they can be unpredictable and dangerous when aggressive.

Pang said that in October alone, he encountered monkeys twice near the National Institute of Education building.

The NTU Animal Lovers’ Society put up posters last semester teaching residents how to react when they encounter wild animals like macaques, boars and snakes.

These posters were placed in halls nearest to forested areas, such as Hall 8, 9, 10 and 11, advising students to stay calm when facing wild animals.

The club plans to put up more of such posters around other halls this semester, said vice-president Rai Aditeya Shamsher, 19.

NTU advises students who encounter wild animals to keep a safe distance and move away slowly.
Students are warned not to feed the animals, provoke them, or go closer to take photographs or videos, as this may put them in danger of being attacked.

For assistance, NTU’s 24-hour campus security can be contacted at 6790-4777.

(Additional reporting by Gracia Lee)