Speech by MOS Alvin Tan at the ACRES 24th Anniversary Gala Dinner
Aug 16, 2025
For the last quarter of a century, ACRES has been a very strong advocate for wildlife in Singapore and a valuable partner to the National Parks Board, giving voice to the voiceless creatures who share our home.
This evening, we celebrate ACRES’ strong commitment and the commitment of all of you here who believe in ACRES’ work and the passion you bring to this important work.
On Tuesday, I visited ACRES’s Wildlife Rescue Centre And as I walked through the Centre, I met many animals, but three caught my attention – and I want to tell you the story of these three animals and how they relate to ACRES’ work. They are: the Ball Python, the Palm Civet and the Radiated Tortoise from Madagascar.
What do these three animals have to do with ACRES’ work? Plenty of course. And so I thought to craft my speech tonight about ACRES’ work, specifically on the topics of education, stewardship and guardianship.
Ball Python - Education
First, ACRES’ work on Education is to encourage human-wildlife coexistence, and has much to do with the ball python.
Well, let's consider ACRES as the voice for misunderstood pythons, both the reticulated pythons we encounter in our green spaces – and the ball pythons that sometimes appear or end up in our urban environment due to illegal pet ownership. These magnificent creatures often naturally evoke a sense of fear or apprehension, but the reticulated python in particular, is a vital part of our ecosystem, naturally controlling rodent populations and indicating healthy green spaces.
ACRES, much like the patient work required to understand and coexist with these snakes, is at the forefront of this interaction, showing us the way to harmonious coexistence. Through its educational efforts, ACRES teaches us to appreciate the ecological role of native pythons and to say “no” to illegal pet ownership, and how to react safely and responsibly when we encounter wildlife, and how to prevent negative interactions.
That's why ACRES's education outreach is so very important.
From school programmes to public talks, ACRES has been engaging the community on wildlife issues and encouraging responsible human-wildlife relationships.
A great example is the “Our Wild Neighbours”, or OWN, campaign on wildlife etiquette.
OWN’s nation-wide outreach shows us how stakeholders, including ACRES, NParks and Mandai Wildlife Group, came together to seed and grow a conservation movement in our society, and promote understanding of what it means to be true stewards of our environment.
OWN is continuing to reach out to the community, including through the “Human-Wildlife Coexistence” carnival at Heartbeat@Bedok next month.
These all help foster greater appreciation for our native biodiversity and contributes to Singapore’s vision of a City in Nature.
Palm Civet – Stewardship
ACRES’ second important work is on stewardship. It is our collective responsibility to take good care of our environment. Here, let's consider ACRES as the hidden palm civet. These shy, nocturnal creatures play a quiet yet significant role in our ecosystems, often as seed dispersers, contributing to the health and regeneration of our forests and green spaces.
Like the diligent palm civet, ACRES works tirelessly behind the scenes, actively in several wildlife working groups, to jointly develop strategies for the conservation and management of species such as otters, long-tailed macaques and other urban wildlife.
These working groups comprise representatives from government agencies, volunteers, nature groups and academics, addressing human-wildlife conflict through holistic and science-based strategies which are sensitive to wildlife.
ACRES also provides feedback on environmental studies for development projects, sharing helpful insights on wildlife connectivity and how to mitigate of human-wildlife conflict.
We have had many productive conversations to advance Singapore’s vision of a City in Nature, and we will continue to build on this.
Radiated Tortoise – Guardian
Lastly, let’s talk about Guardianship – our unwavering commitment to prevent and stop illegal wildlife rade and trafficking. For this, let's consider ACRES as a formidable guardian, embodying the steadfast resilience of the radiated tortoise from Madagascar and the strength of the alligator snapping turtle.
The radiated tortoise, with its striking, robust shell, is a symbol of beauty, strength, and incredible longevity, yet tragically, it's one of the most trafficked tortoises in the world. The snapping turtle, with its powerful jaws and swift reactions, represents the readiness to confront danger.
Here, I’d like to thank ACRES for partnering NParks on this important work.
ACRES’s animal crime investigation unit collaborates with our colleagues in NParks, by sharing information and supporting investigations.
ACRES’s Wildlife Rescue Centre also serves as a long-term holding of our non-native rescued wildlife from the illegal pet trade, facilitating repatriation where feasible.
Today, around 129 animals are held there, each with a story of why wildlife protection matters.
We are grateful for the strong partnership and good working relationship we enjoy with ACRES. Because it’s essential to our collective stance and commitment to tackle illegal wildlife trade and cruelty.
Conclusion
My friends, tonight we celebrate ACRES:
As the voice for misunderstood pythons showing us the path to educated coexistence
As the hidden palm civet reminding us of our stewardship over the environment through science and dedication
As the steadfast radiated tortoise and sharp snapping turtle symbolizing the urgent need for guardianship against illegal wildlife trade.
Congratulations again on your 24 years journey of compassion, courage, and grit.
Just as the radiated tortoise can live for well over a century, I wish ACRES many more 24 years of vital conservation, rescue, and educational efforts, continuing their powerful impact.
Thank you, and have a truly wonderful evening ahead.