S'pore songbirds choked by smog

S'pore songbirds choked by smog

SINGAPORE (AFP): Songbirds have fallen silent and cats and dogs are coughing and sneezing in Singapore, which is enveloped by smoky haze caused by raging forest fires in neighboring Indonesia, a news report said yesterday.

Fewer songbird owners were showing up at the traditional bird- singing corner in Tiong Bahru, on the south of the island, as many of their pets had lost their voices since the grey haze spread over large parts of the region, the Sunday Times reported.

"My 'mata puteh' (one of song-bird species) just sit at the bottom of their cages. Some have also been shedding their feathers," retired ambulance driver Teo Koh Thow, among those who take their pets to the bird singing corner, was quoted saying.

Another bird fancier, 53-year-old Chew Teng San, said his three "mata puteh," once full of song, are now lethargic.

Veterinarians interviewed by the Sunday Times said they were seeing a few more pets than usual, mostly for eye, respiratory and skin ailments.

"Animals react in the samed way as humans. There is no reason why the haze should not affect them just as it affects us," veterinarian Daphne Ang was reported saying.

Another veterinarian warned that performance animals, such as greyhounds and race horses, would be affected.

Air pollution levels in Singapore were within "moderate" levels Sunday, according to hourly official bulletins.