Sambar Deer Put Down After Road Collision at Mandai

 

What happens when urban infrastructure meets wildlife corridors? A tragic incident on 24 July 2025 along Mandai Road highlights the ongoing tension between nature and human development. A sambar deer, native to forested areas, was involved in a collision with a car and later had to be euthanised on welfare grounds due to the severity of its injuries.

The accident took place around 5:15pm and was reported to the National Parks Board (NParks). Responding quickly to the situation, NParks alerted the Mandai Wildlife Group, which was closest to the scene and equipped with the necessary veterinary expertise. Upon arrival, veterinary staff assessed the condition of the deer and found its injuries too extensive to allow for recovery.

As a result, NParks and Mandai Wildlife Group made the joint decision to humanely euthanise the animal on-site, prioritising its welfare and to prevent prolonged suffering. The euthanasia followed veterinary best practices and was carried out promptly.

A video of the aftermath, circulated online, showed a vehicle with significant damage to its front bonnet and the injured deer lying a few metres behind. The deer was conscious but immobile, further confirming the severity of its trauma. Fortunately, both the driver and the passenger in the car were unharmed.

This incident reignites discussions about the risks posed to wildlife near forest-fringed roads like Mandai, which runs adjacent to areas rich in biodiversity and home to many native species. Mandai is well known for its nature reserves, wildlife parks, and forest corridors, making it a hotspot for animal crossings—especially during dawn or dusk when wildlife is more active.

In light of the incident, NParks Group Director of Wildlife Management, How Choon Beng, reminded motorists to exercise caution when driving near forested areas. He advised extra vigilance, especially where animal crossing signs are present. Wildlife-vehicle collisions can cause severe injuries not only to animals but also pose serious safety hazards for drivers.

Members of the public are also reminded not to handle injured wild animals on their own, no matter how well-intentioned. Wildlife requires specialised care and handling, particularly in cases involving trauma. Instead, NParks urges individuals to contact their 24-hour Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600 if they come across wildlife in distress or require emergency rescue.

NParks, along with other environmental bodies, continues to assess and implement measures to reduce such incidents. These include animal crossing signages, road-calming features, and even proposed eco-link bridges to allow safe wildlife passage between forest patches. However, human awareness remains the most effective first line of prevention.

The sambar deer involved is a species commonly found in Southeast Asia and has been seen around Mandai in recent years due to its proximity to forested habitat. Although sightings are relatively rare, deer are known to roam across roads during foraging or when disturbed. When such an animal is hit by a vehicle, the outcome is almost always fatal or requires euthanasia due to the extent of internal injuries.

The event serves as a sombre reminder of the price of encroaching urban development. While roads are necessary, their placement in or around natural reserves must always be balanced with wildlife protection strategies. Efforts are being made to integrate safe wildlife movement corridors and educate the public on how to live harmoniously with Singapore’s native animals.

In the meantime, NParks and Mandai Wildlife Group remain committed to responding swiftly to such incidents and working towards minimizing human-wildlife conflict. This unfortunate case along Mandai Road is just one of many, but each serves as an important lesson on the shared responsibility between humans and nature.