Otters Leave Trail of Destruction at Bright Hill
On the morning of 19 May, 67-year-old lawyer Hoh Chin Cha discovered a gruesome scene in the koi pond of his Bright Hill residence. According to reports, all eight of his prized koi had been mauled, their bodies mutilated and eyeballs gouged out.
He noticed erratic swimming patterns in the pond and entered the water to investigate. It was then he realised the full extent of the injuries. All eight koi, estimated to be worth just under $10,000, were lost.
Lawyer Believes Otters Responsible for Brutal Attack
Mr Hoh, founder of Hoh Law Corporation, suspects otters were responsible for the attack. His home is near Bishan Park, an area known for frequent otter sightings. Although his collapsible gate was locked, it was not designed to keep small animals like otters out.
“It’s devastating,” he said. He had cared for the koi for over five years, having raised koi since he was young.
Otters Pose Growing Threat to Pet Fish Owners
Despite the otters’ playful image, Mr Hoh highlighted the damage they can inflict. He said that many people appreciate animals and find otters endearing, but these creatures can cause significant harm to fish enthusiasts who keep koi as pets.
The National Parks Board (NParks) has advised ornamental fish owners to fortify their ponds using netting, panels, or tall barriers and to seal off gaps in fences and gates.
Past Attacks Raise Questions Over Otter Management
In 2023, a family reportedly lost their entire koi collection to an otter attack. March 2024: only a few months later, an otter was spotted feeding on koi near Capital Tower along Robinson Road.
In another chilling incident, a Bukit Timah resident lost over 40 koi and other fishes in October 2023. Yuen Ying Tham, who had peacefully reared fish for over two decades at his Berrima Road home, woke up to find his ponds filled with partially eaten carcasses and severed fish heads. The attack left only three survivors, one of which was severely harmed.
Tham, whose home is near the Singapore Botanic Gardens, believes a family of otters is responsible. Despite security fencing and front-facing CCTV cameras, the otters likely entered from the back. Devastated and traumatised, Tham has since abandoned his decades-long hobby.
He had pursued this hobby for nearly 30 years, but one night, otters destroyed it all. The trauma has stopped him from keeping fish, and he now doubts that Singapore remains safe for fish hobbyists.
As otter-related incidents increase, residents and animal groups remain divided, with more voices calling for better management strategies to prevent further losses.
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