• Spend 30 minutes a day walking briskly. Go to different places to make it interesting
• Park your car 10-15 minutes away from work, or get off the bus two or three stops early and walk the last part
• Take the stairs instead of the lift
• Replace fluids during and after your walk by drinking water or fruit juice. Avoid drinks like tea, coffee or alcohol as these can cause your body to lose fluids
• Wear comfortable clothing and shoes made for walking
• Warm up and stretch before walking. This will help avoid muscle cramps, stiffness, aches and pains
• Always get advice from your doctor before starting any exercise programme if you have any existing medical conditions or have not exercised regularly for a while

Advice on crocodiles

Estuarine crocodiles are known to inhabit the waters of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. These are wild animals and they have a reputation for being aggressive.

Visitors are strongly advised to stay on visitor routes and not venture off the paths. On occasion, the crocodiles have been spotted basking on the visitor routes. Should visitors encounter a crocodile on the path, they should stay calm and back away slowly. Do not provoke the animal. Staff are present to help visitors should they need any assistance – please call the information counter at Tel: 6794 1401. Under no circumstances should visitors approach a crocodile. As with all wild animals, crocodiles should be treated with caution.

Crocodile warning signs have been posted at various parts of the Reserve
where they are most often spotted. Visitors are advised to heed these signs
for their own safety.

Visitors with feedback and suggestions can write to info@sbwr.org.sg or call our Information Counter at 6794 1401. They can report crocodile sightings taking note of the location, date, time and number of crocodiles seen. The information will help the Reserve further monitor and track the crocodiles’ movements.

Advice on Hornets, Wasps or Bees

What you should do when you encounter hornets, wasps, or bees?

1. If you encounter hornets, wasps or bees, do not swat at them. Retreat at least about 20m. If not possible, hide in vehicle or any enclosure or lie face down & cover head with arms.
2. If you spot their nests, DO NOT disturb or approach the nests; call us at 67941401 (8:30 am – 6:00 pm) or 64880252 (outside office hours), or inform the rangers at our parks.
3. Wear long-sleeved light coloured clothing if possible when outdoors. Try not to wear dark clothing as bees tend to target dark objects;
4. Try not to wear bright jewelry, flowery clothing and go barefoot & use strong scented lotions, perfumes, soaps, shampoos when walk in forested areas;
5. Do not panic if the odd wasp settles on you. Remain calm and the insects usually fly away;
6. Consult a doctor immediately if stung by hornet or bees.

Background on sting wounds

Wasps and bees have stingers that deliver venom and cause pain when injected into the skin. Most people who are stung by an insect will have redness, itching, swelling, and some pain around the sting site.

Some people are allergic to insect stings. They may experience rashes, itch, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, puffiness of the eyes, lips, tongue and throat, and difficulty in breathing. Symptoms can begin immediately after the sting or up to 30 minutes later and might last for hours. The patient can die of shock if this response is not reversed within a short time. Non-allergic victims who receive multiple stings can also develop serious complications.

What you should do if you are stung?

1. Do not try to pull the stinger and venom sac out as this may release more venom;
2. Scrape out the stinger with a blunt-edged stiff object like a credit card or dull knife.
3. Remove any rings and watches before any swelling occurs.
4. Wash affected area with soap and water several times a day until the skin is healed.
5. Apply a cold or ice pack, wrapped in cloth on the area for 10-15 minutes to stop the pain and swelling. To prevent frostbite, do not apply ice directly on the sting area.
6. Apply a paste of baking soda and water. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes;
7. Take pain killer, if necessary. Dabbing on a tiny amount of household ammonia or antihistamine, e.g. over-the-counter products suitable for insect stings, if approved by physician.

Emergency Care

Seek emergency care if the following symptoms are present as these could indicate an allergic reaction:

• Large areas of swelling
• Abnormal breathing
• Tightness in throat or chest
• Dizziness
• Hives e.g. red patches/itching
• Fainting
• Nausea or vomiting
• Persistent pain or swelling