ScienceJournals

NParks on mission to rescue critically endangered orchids

Growing number of hikers at Clementi Forest puts two species at risk

NParks' National Biodiversity Centre deputy director Lua Hock Keong looking for the two orchid species during the rescue mission. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Mr Lua at the Singapore Botanic Gardens' Seed Bank with tanks of the two rare orchids from Clementi Forest. They are being nurtured to ensure their survival. Left: The rare hidden zeuxine and common snout orchid collected in a container by NParks sta
The rare hidden zeuxine and common snout orchid collected in a container by NParks staff at Clementi Forest last Wednesday. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Mr Lua at the Singapore Botanic Gardens' Seed Bank with tanks of the two rare orchids from Clementi Forest. They are being nurtured to ensure their survival. Left: The rare hidden zeuxine and common snout orchid collected in a container by NParks sta
Mr Lua at the Singapore Botanic Gardens' Seed Bank with tanks of the two rare orchids from Clementi Forest. They are being nurtured to ensure their survival. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

We would have easily missed the critically endangered orchids lining the "trail" if not for the eagle-eyed researchers pointing them out.

To prevent us - and the growing number of hikers venturing into Clementi Forest - from literally stamping these two orchid species out of existence in Singapore, the National Parks Board (NParks) staff gently prised each individual from the leaf litter and placed them into a plastic box.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on May 03, 2021, with the headline NParks on mission to rescue critically endangered orchids . Subscribe