Elusive leopard cat may have found new home in Changi, but dangers lurk

The elusive leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) is known to roam offshore islands and the central and western catchment areas on the mainland, but there are signs it could now be in Changi, too.

- Angelica Ang

The Singapore Wildcat Action Group (Swag), which is made up of volunteers, is proposing a rapid survey of the Changi coastal area in 2025, and will be applying to the National Parks Board (NParks) for a research permit, said its co-director Vilma D'Rozario.

She said: "We would like to monitor the presence of leopard cats in the area near the construction of Singapore's new airport terminal because of the high number of heavy vehicles in that area."

The construction of Changi Airport Terminal 5 is expected to start in the first half of 2025, and the mega terminal is set to be operational in the mid-2030s.

There have been several incidents of the nocturnal leopard cats ending up as roadkill, said Dr D'Rozario.

"In the last 25 years, five leopard cats were found dead on Singapore's roads - one too many, when we have a population of fewer than 50," she added.