About the Event

On a changing stretch of reclaimed coastline at Changi, where development is reshaping the landscape for Singapore’s future aviation needs, a small and unexpected community of wild leopard cats has quietly survived for years. Their presence remained unknown until the first camera trap image captured one on 1 August 2025.

Join the Singapore Wildcat Action Group SWAG and the volunteers behind this remarkable discovery as they take you behind the scenes of documenting Singapore’s last wild cats. Through a short film and personal stories, discover how patience, teamwork, and citizen science helped reveal the identities and lives of these elusive animals, and why their story matters for wildlife conservation in Singapore.

A presentation will be followed with a panel discussion. 

This programme is suitable for adults.

About the speakers

Dr. Vilma D'Rozario has been a nature educator and wildlife advocate for more than 20 years. Through her volunteer work with NGOs, wildlife working groups, and government agencies, she champions the conservation of wildlife and natural habitats. She is the co-founder of the Singapore Wildcat Action Group SWAG and has been actively involved in Malayan tiger conservation since 2014.

Marie James is a volunteer with the Singapore Wildcat Action Group, and played a key role in identifying the leopard cats of Changi Coast. With over 20 years of experience in zoology and veterinary nursing, she previously cared for leopard cats and Malayan tigers in captivity. By analysing distinctive coat patterns and flank markings from camera trap images, Marie helped identify each individual leopard cat.

Sandra Chia is a Senior Manager with the National Biodiversity Centre, National Parks Board, Singapore. Her work focuses on the assessment of impact of development projects on biodiversity and the environment, comprising of development mitigation, conservation, research and more. She collaborates with stakeholders to encourage the conservation of key habitats and the biodiversity they support.

Dr. Norman Lim is a Senior Lecturer at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University. His research focuses on the ecology and conservation of terrestrial vertebrates, particularly lesser-known species. His work includes studies on habitat connectivity for colugos, pangolin conservation, and the habitat selection of small mammals, contributing to evidence-based conservation in Singapore.

About the organisation

The Singapore Wildcat Action Group SWAG is a volunteer-run conservation organisation dedicated to protecting wild cats through education, community action, and fundraising. With a special focus on Singapore’s leopard cat and the critically endangered Malayan tiger, SWAG believes that everyone can play a meaningful role in securing a future for wild cats by inspiring grassroots support for conservation.

Registration and Attendance 

• Registration is required for this programme. Please register one ticket per person.
• Attendance will be taken using the NLB Mobile app. Please download the app (https://go.gov.sg/nlbmobile-attendance) or update it to the latest version. Then, scan the QR code at the venue to take your attendance upon entry. 
• Please arrive 10 minutes before the session starts. Seats may be released to walk-in participants if you arrive late.

Photography and Videography Notice
Please note that photos and/or videos of this programme and its participants may be taken.
By participating in this programme, you agree that NLB may take photographs and/or videos of you (or your child as applicable) and use the images and/or videos including to archive, exhibit and publish them for publicity or any other NLB purposes.

Wheelchair-friendly Routes and Social Stories
To access our wheelchair friendly routes (bus and MRT) and social stories, please visit https://go.gov.sg/wheelchair-friendly-routes-social-stories and select the respective library to access the information.