Wildlife went on a rampage in Sin City

Almost seven years ago, 4 wildlife went on a rampage in this very safe and very low crime city state. Four Sarawakians turned this peaceful and safe city into a night of violence. They attacked pedestrians on their way home near a MRT station in Kallang, slashing and robbing them in full view of people around them as if it was a free for all in a jungle. The clueless pedestrians did not see it coming, stunt and were mercilessly taken down, defenceless and did not know how to react.
 
The scene could be the same as the hapless pet birds in cages hanging outside the windows of HDB flats when attacked by the hornbills. It was something out of the normal. Who could expect the hornbills to be so audacious and lawless, to think that it was alright to eat the pet birds for lunch? Who would ever think that the foreigners here to work, to make good money to send home, would turn violent against the peaceful, friendly and carefree Singaporeans just living their normal life?
 
The last wildlife, Donny Meluda, was sentenced to 33 years life imprisonment for a supporting role in the violent attack and robbery on a peaceful night in Sin City. Two of the wildlife were convicted for murder. Michael Garing who wield a parang during the slashing crime was sentenced to life imprisonment. Tony Imba, the leader, also got life imprisonment and 24 strokes of the rottan. Another, Hairee Landak, was also given 33 years of life imprisonment and 24 strokes of the cane.
 
During the slashing attack, one victim was killed and another 3 seriously injured with a NSman losing several fingers, with half of his palm chopped off. The dead victim was brutally stabbed and slashed all over his body, his head and neck and died on the spot.
 
The High Court judge had this to say about the attack. It was ‘likened to a safari hunt.’
What is the moral of this violent crime by the wildlife? Do not think wildlife are peaceful, friendly and harmless. There is wildness in wildlife. Be careful, be very careful when dealing with wildlife or close to wildlife. Singaporeans are so comfortable with the safe and almost sanitized environment and have taken safety and security for granted. They have let down all their guards against wildlife and would regret only when it happened to them directly, or too late.
 
Be alert all the time. Recently some young children were bitten by the otters in the Marina area. Just keep a safe distance from them. You would not know when they would strike. I am astonished at how comfortable Singaporeans are in inviting wildlife into their homes.
 
On the other hand today’s newpaper has a good coverage of otters being witnesses to a marriage proposal and otters having a siesta in Marina Bay. It seems that news of otter’s presence in little Red Dot has gone viral. The otters have grown familiar with the locals and growing more confidence to be seen around people.
Would they be culled just like the wild boars and wild chicken when their number grew too big? Would they run riot and attack the hapless and timid locals that have lost their instinct to defend themselves against wildlife? Or would they chase out the locals and turn the little Red Dot into Otterpore, a paradise for wildlife?