Colugos or Flying Lemurs & Windsor Nature Park: Singapore Nature 2020

Colugos are tree dwelling gliding mammals found in Singapore and across South East Asia. They are also know as flying Lemurs but are actually not true Lemurs. They are also commonly confused with flying squirrels. They are most capable gliders of all gliding mammals and have been recorded travelling further than 150 meters in one glide. They are nocturnal animals that possess large eyes for excellent binocular and night vision. During the day they can be seen clinging to tree trunks high up in the forest canopy. They cannot be kept in captivity and all attempts have ended with the death of the animal. Very little is know about colugos such as their diet, life history and role in the rain forest.

The species is declining in Singapore and has been classified as close to extinction since 1984. Mainly due to habitat loss. The population was estimated at less than 200 but a more recent study carried out in 2003 surprisingly estimated their population at 1500. While all vertebrates in Singapore's rain forests are protected against killing and capture, it is still very unregulated. In 2006 a mother and baby was shot down by a group of dumb men with slingshots at Macritchie Reservoir. The mother died immediately and the baby died later despite efforts to save it.

Windsor Nature Reserve is a 75 hectare green buffer for the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. It is full of rare native plants and fauna and made up marsh habitats, fresh water streams and forest. The colugos can be seen from the raised walkway called Venus Link, which connects to Macritchie Reservoir.

#colugo #windsornaturepark #singaporenature #singaporecolugos #flyinglemurs #flyingsquirrels #singaporewildlife

Videography:
Christian Bassett
Camera:
Samsung S10 & Sony 4K FDR-AX700 Camcorder
Editing:
Christian Bassett

Playlist:
Seba - Life Is
Ptr - After The Storm