A wild, non-venomous painted bronzeback snake was captured by staff outside a glass enclosure in Mandai’s RepTopia at the Singapore Zoo on Sunday, Aug. 23, after being spotted by park visitors, according to reports from Mandai Wildlife Group and circulating social media footage.
Incident Details at Mandai’s RepTopia
The reptile was seen moving across a rocky structure connected to a glass animal enclosure while surrounded by guests, as shown in an Instagram video uploaded by user Azulesoctopus on Monday, Aug. 24. The user noted they were about to step into the reptile exhibition when they overheard a visitor informing staff about the animal. “My heart skipped a beat,” the user said, according to the video caption.
Mandai Wildlife Group stated that staff members arrived immediately after a visitor alerted them to the presence of the snake outside the exhibit. Two employees responded to the scene, where one staff member wearing blue protective gloves held the snake’s tail with her right hand while wrangling its body with her left. Once secured, the slender reptile was escorted away and subsequently released back into the wild.
Did You Know? The painted bronzeback is a species native to Singapore and was not part of the animal population under the care of the Mandai Wildlife Group.
Safety Protocols and Wildlife Management
According to Mandai Wildlife Group, the snake was small and moving fast, prompting staff to intervene because it was at risk of injury in a crowded indoor area. A spokesperson explained that all wildlife parks at the Mandai Reserve are home to a diverse range of native wildlife inhabiting the surrounding landscape. While protocols exist for wildlife sightings across the parks, staff members step in when an animal cannot retreat on its own or appears trapped and distressed.
“Snakes typically do not harm people unless provoked,” a Mandai Wildlife Group spokesperson said, adding that the animals will usually leave on their own if given sufficient space. The spokesperson emphasized that the best course of action for public safety and animal well-being is to let wildlife be.
Expert Insight: Managing native wildlife encounters in high-traffic zoological spaces requires a delicate balance between guest safety and animal welfare. According to park operators and wildlife authorities, swift intervention is typically reserved for instances where animals face potential harm in crowded environments, whereas undisturbed native species are generally allowed to retreat independently.
Following the incident, the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) issued guidance advising the public to avoid handling snakes independently. Doing so can cause stress or injury to the animal and increase the risk of defensive bites. Individuals who encounter snakes in the wild are advised to contact the AVS Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600 to request assistance from trained wildlife professionals. The advisory notes that snakes are shy creatures that will not attack unless cornered or provoked, recommending that observers stay calm, avoid sudden movements, and back away slowly to give the animal space to retreat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of snake was found at the Singapore Zoo?
According to Mandai Wildlife Group, the animal was a wild, non-venomous painted bronzeback, which is a species native to Singapore and not part of the zoo’s collection.
What did the staff do with the snake after catching it?
After securing the animal, zoo staff escorted it away and subsequently released it back into the wild, as confirmed by Mandai Wildlife Group.
Who should members of the public contact if they encounter a wild snake?
The Animal and Veterinary Service advises the public to contact the AVS Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600 so that trained professionals can be dispatched to assist.
Have you ever encountered native wildlife while visiting a public park or attraction?
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