‘Wild City: Singapore’ Recap – ‘Urban Wild’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

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When we think of nature interacting with our modern world, we often see nature’s arrival as an unexpected incursion. Which is understandable, since we are masters of our domain and we’ve bent the planet to our will on more than one occasion, which makes seeing a bear looking for food in suburbia or a mountain lion hanging out in a playground quite the jarring sight. But the real reason for this shock, goes far deeper than just seeing something that is out of the norm. Because in the modern world, we view our world and nature as separate, despite the fact that nature is thriving all around us. But the people of Singapore understand that it this is simply not the case. They understand that we share a world and that their city is an oasis for mankind, one that exists in a sea of wildlife.
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In fact, the next episode of Wild City: Singapore, ‘Urban Wild’, took the time to show all of us exactly how close mankind and nature are in this particular place, by giving an inside look at how many wild species now thrive within the city limits, and well, it’s a lot. Take for example the long-tailed Macaque, a breed of monkey that makes its home in the heart of the city, and their daily life takes them all over the city, where they forage for food and do their best to get by and this really was quite the sight to see. Because I think it’s safe to assume that the majority of us here in America, are unable to say that once again we had to go outside and shoo the monkeys away, but that happens here on a daily basis.

Plus, it was quite cool to reunite with the Smooth Coated Otter family we were introduced to last week and learn how these smart little buggers make use of both the sanctuary they call home, and mankind’s fine engineering skills in order to survive. For while there is plenty for them to eat in the reserve, our ability to control an environment has taught them that in the event they need a quick meal, they can swing by man’s domain to find plenty of fish and plenty of fresh water and this too, was just a magnificent sight. Because I never thought I’d see the day where I watched a family of otters cross a busy road to get to some delicious fish, but here we are, and it was comforting and poignant to see ‘Otter Crossing’ signs in this busy area.

For signage such as that, means that the good people of this city, fully understand that nature isn’t something they control, it’s a living entity that does what it wants and it is better to find a way to coexist rather than exert force and it would seem the city is making greater efforts to give some of this bustling metropolis back to nature. Because in the heart of the city, is a special sanctuary of its own, one that serves as a new home to the Oriental Hornbill, a species of bird that is low in numbers but once flourished in this area. But now, man is doing its best to help them thrive in a world they once ruled and well, it was this part of the story that managed to truly hammer home what this episode was trying to say.

Because the show wanted to make it clear, that we need to recognize the fact that we don’t own this world, we are inhabitants of it as well. And while we have achieved wonders in our brief time upon this planet, we have to do better when it comes to coexisting with our wild neighbors. How exactly we pull that off, this episode didn’t make clear, and I appreciated the fact that it offered up no easy answers on the matter, because it will take great dialogue to figure out how we make that happen. But being aware of it, is a good place to start and perhaps we can use Singapore as an example, since this place has truly found a way to let two vastly unique worlds, function together in relative harmony. Until next time. 

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