No significant wildlife casualties on St John's and Lazarus islands

No significant wildlife casualties were observed in the oil-slicked areas of St John’s and Lazarus islands on June 16, but conservationists say they are on alert for longer-term ramifications for nature as it could take time for the impacts of oil spills to manifest.

- Audrey Tan

The situation on both islands – connected to each other by a bridge – was much improved from the day before as clean-up efforts progressed, although oil slicks could still be seen in certain lagoons and bays.

A strong smell of oil still lingered in certain parts of both islands, and there were barnacles and snails coated in oil.

But no dead fish or oil-drenched creatures were spotted by volunteers and marine scientists who took part in a biodiversity survey coordinated by the National Parks Board (NParks). Some participants even observed fiddler crabs and a black-tipped reef shark in the waters off St John’s Island.

Dr Karenne Tun, director of NParks’ National Biodiversity Centre, told The Straits Times: “Floating oil patches were still sighted on the seawalls of Lazarus Island.