Do more to ensure wildlife transfers are successful

I am saddened by the death of Junior the manatee, which had been sent to the National Park of Guadeloupe for a repopulation programme (“Singapore-born manatee dies in overseas park after transfer”; Oct 5).

Manatees are currently threatened with hunting and boating accidents, and Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) should continue to educate the public on wildlife protection.

WRS took measures to monitor its two manatees bound for the Caribbean, which helped to ensure the long journey did not compromise their well-being.

I commend its efforts to protect manatees from extinction.

Still, partnerships between WRS and its foreign counterparts must be strengthened for the joint success of conservation projects.

This means ramping up care in transporting wildlife to reduce the mortality risks, and other improvements such as constant correspondence and sending teams to check on the animal.

For greater transparency, the public should be updated regularly on the animal’s well-being.

Also, WRS’ foreign counterparts must have standards of wildlife management that match those of their partnering organisation.

This would help to ensure vigilance and professional care while the animal adapts to its new environment, which should be as similar as possible to its previous environment.

A sense of familiarity would reduce stress levels.

New wildlife transfers should be monitored closely to look out for signs of illness such as appetite loss and deterioration in physical condition.

Daily check-ups must be conducted, and medical intervention should be delivered at any signs of distress.

More research on, and frameworks for, the medical, dietary and environmental aspects of wildlife transfers would help animals to adapt better to their new environments. These include adhering to before- and after-care protocols that are ethical and humane.

In the light of Junior’s death, WRS’ team of veterinarians and aquarists must see to it that the other manatee is cared for and coping well with its new environment.

As WRS continues its work in helping more species, I hope it ensures that close partnerships with its foreign counterparts are formed, to help prevent future deaths and honour their mission to preserve biodiversity.