Stomper goes fishing in Pasir Ris pond -- and realises rare owl is doing the same
A man was fishing at Pasir Ris Town Park on Aug 10 when loud flapping sounds caught his attention.
Stomper Hadhi was surprised to see a buffy fish owl - a rare animal listed as critically endangered in the Singapore Red Data Book.
Sharing photos and a video of the beautiful creature, he recounted: "I was fishing in the pond at around midnight when I heard a loud flapping sound and then a big splash on my left.
"I saw this owl perching on a pole near the edge of the pond. The area is known to local anglers as 'saudi'."
It turns out the owl was catching fish too, just like the Stomper.
"I suspect the owl has a nest nearby and it was catching fish for its young hatchlings,' said Hadhi. "I saw it coming back a few times and diving into the pond to catch those tilapias swimming just above the water.
"I was quite surprised. It's not the first time I have seen an owl, but never this close to a residential area, let alone catching fish in the pond."
Also known as the Malaysian fish owl or ketupa ketupu, the buffy fish owl is native to Southeast Asia.
It can be identified by its striking white eyebrows, bright yellow eyes and ear tufts.
