Mandai bridge ready to help animals cross safely

A wide, forested bridge stretching across Mandai Lake Road forms a nearly seamless safe passage for wildlife between the wooded areas on both sides of the road.

Launched yesterday after 21/2 years of construction, the Mandai Wildlife Bridge "stitches together the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR) and provides a safe passage for our local wildlife", said Mr Mike Barclay, group chief executive of Mandai Park Holdings (MPH).

For the first time in the 60 years since Mandai Lake Road was built, cutting the forest environment in two, critters such as pangolins, colugos and lesser mousedeer trying to get from one side to the other no longer need to do so at their peril.

The 140m-long bridge is aimed at reducing the number of roadkill incidents in the Mandai precinct, which MPH is developing into an integrated nature and wildlife destination.

Mr Barclay said the animal-only bridge was the organisation's "first stride towards rejuvenating Mandai into an integrated nature and wildlife precinct."

By 2023, the area will see two additions - the new Rainforest Park and the relocated bird park - to the existing list of parks, which include the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and River Safari.

The number of roadkill incidents in the area has drawn fire from local nature groups. The Straits Times understands that five colugos have been found dead along the road since works started in 2017.

Previously, rope bridges were also installed to help tree-dwelling species get across the road, and signs have been put up to remind motorists to slow down in the area.

Trees of different heights have been planted to create a forest-like environment on the bridge.

Mr Barclay thanked the nature groups that lent a hand for the last leg of the project, and noted that they also provided guidance on the design of the bridge.

The tree canopy on the bridge will take between five and 10 years to be fully established.

Following the completion of the bridge, the Mandai precinct habitats will be further restored, guided by the Mandai Ecological Reforestation Plan, which sets out a 10-year road map for restoring the protected areas adjacent to the CCNR.

These areas take up about 19 per cent of the land allocated for development.

The efforts include creating a variety of micro-habitats, as well as achieving functional connectivity for animals, said MPH in a statement. A total of 9ha - about 17 football fields - is expected to be restored by 2030, it added.