11 September 2011

Your help needed to document our WILD dolphins!

Yes! There are wild dolphins in Singapore's waters! The latest sighting of dolphins was on 24 Aug when two Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins were spotted near St. John's Island jetty. On 18 Aug, two to three Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins were seen near Pulau Tekong
Peihao saw these dolphins on 27 Mar (Sun) off Pulau Semakau and
shared photos and clips of them on facebook.
These sightings are posted on the Singapore Wild Marine Mammal Survey (SWiMMS) map. SWiMMS is now looking for volunteers to help document these dolphins!

From the SWiMMS facebook page: "Interested to volunteer for SWiMMS? We are looking for volunteers who are willing to spend a few hours on St. John's Island to look out for dolphins and to take photographs if the dolphins appear. Please email us at swimms@nus.edu.sg if you would like to find out more! Thank you for your support."

What is SWiMMS about?
The Singapore Wild Marine Mammal Survey (SWiMMS) is a programme hoping to monitor the dolphin, porpoise and dugong populations in Singapore waters by establishing a volunteer network and reporting system.

Why are wild marine mammal sightings important?
Pilot studies by the Tropical Marine Science Institute (TMSI), National University of Singapore (NUS) have shown that several species of coastal dolphins, the finless porpoise and dugong are sighted in Singapore waters.

It appears likely that Singapore and neighbouring waters are important for coastal and riverine marine mammals in that together they form a habitat for these animals. However, more information is required to strengthen this concept of an extended habitat. With increasing coastal development and climate change, continued monitoring of marine mammals is essential to ensure their long-term survival.

You CAN make a difference!
If you should see a marine mammal in Singapore or regional waters, please let SWiMMS know. Email swimms@nus.edu.sg or fill in their on-line reporting form with as much information as you can.

More about how to tell apart the different kinds of dolphins and marine mammals seen in our waters.

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