Five mainland leopard cats living in Changi's coastal forest will be relocated to protect them from development and ensure their long-term survival. The National Parks Board (NParks) and the Singapore Wildcat Action Group (Swag) announced the decision, citing the high risk of traffic accidents and intense competition for shrinking resources. The cats will be moved to suitable habitats offering forest cover, suitable prey, and mate connectivity, with ongoing monitoring. The relocation is hoped to catalyze broader conservation efforts for leopard cats in Singapore.
Singapore 's National Parks Board (NParks) and the Singapore Wildcat Action Group ( Swag ) have announced plans to relocate five mainland leopard cats from Changi 's coastal forest to ensure their welfare and long-term survival.
The cats, one of the most widely distributed wild cats globally but critically endangered in Singapore, will be moved from the second half of 2026 as the Changi landscape undergoes transformation due to development. The existence of leopard cats in Changi was first detected in 2019, with the current population believed to have swum across from nearby Pulau Tekong.
A survey conducted between July 2025 and April 2026 by Swag, supported by NParks and over 50 volunteers, confirmed the presence of five leopard cats, including cubs, using motion-sensor cameras and poop samples. The relocation decision was made due to the high risk of traffic accidents and intense competition for shrinking resources, even with mitigation measures. The leopard cats will be trapped and relocated to suitable habitats offering forest cover, suitable prey, and mate connectivity, with ongoing monitoring.
Roadkill is the main threat to leopard cats in Singapore, with at least five killed in traffic accidents in the last 25 years. NParks and Swag urge the public to drive safely near forested areas and maintain a safe distance if encountering a leopard cat. The operation to relocate the Changi leopard cats is hoped to catalyze broader conservation efforts and contribute to a national species action plan for leopard cats.
The public can learn more about local conservation efforts at the 15th edition of the Festival of Biodiversity on June 6 and 7 at the National Library of Singapore
Leopard Cats Relocation Conservation Singapore Changi Nparks Swag Wildlife Endangered Species
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