Mr Cai Yinzhou asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether there is a decrease in the local population of wild boars following the 2023 African Swine Fever (ASF); (b) whether changes in the wild boar population due to the ASF outbreak have impacted forest biodiversity; and (c) what measures are being taken or considered to manage any potential ecological imbalance caused by changes in the wild boar population.

Mr Chee Hong Tat: While the 2023 African Swine Fever outbreak led to a reduction of the wild boar populations in Pulau Ubin and the western part of Singapore, they have since shown signs of recovery. The National Parks Board will continue to monitor and manage the wild boar population, including any impact to the biodiversity in these areas, as part of its science-based approach to wildlife management.

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Mr Cai Yinzhou asked the Minister for National Development (a) over the last three years, what are the visitor trends to Sisters' Islands Marine Park with a breakdown of those arriving via public ferry versus private craft; (b) how is NParks improving accessibility for the general public following enhancements to the Island in 2024; and (c) what initiatives are being implemented to reduce barriers of entry and increasing visitorship.

Mr Chee Hong Tat: There have been over 40,000 visitors to Big Sister’s Island since the opening of the enhanced Sisters’ Islands Marine Park in October 2024. Most visitors arrive via public ferry.

To improve connectivity and promote visitorship, a new daily boat service from Sentosa to Big Sister’s Island was added in December 2025, on top of the existing daily ferry service from Marina South Pier. We have also enhanced accessibility within Big Sister’s Island with a barrier-free access route, a floating boardwalk and wheelchair-friendly shelters. The National Parks Board (NParks) also partners the

Friends of Marine Park to organise guided nature walks and citizen science activities.

Mr Cai Yinzhou asked the Minister for National Development (a) how many of the over 600 otter-related feedback cases received annually in 2024 and 2025 involved direct human-wildlife conflict; (b) what criteria and thresholds will trigger active population control including sterilisation; (c) what pilot studies or international case studies inform these considerations; and (d) what safeguards ensure such measures do not adversely affect the broader ecosystem.

Mr Chee Hong Tat: The volume of otter-related feedback cases has increased in recent years. In 2024 and 2025, about half of the otter-related feedback cases received by the National Parks Board (NParks) involved human-otter conflicts.

NParks partners stakeholders such as the Otter Working Group to develop and implement its otter management measures, which includes the use of sterilisation as a long-term population control measure, as well as stepping up outreach and public education efforts by installing advisory signages at identified conflict areas. NParks will continue to monitor the otter population and the ecological impact of measures implemented.

Link to Hansard: Link