NParks sued over alleged negligence in wild boar attack and Botanic Gardens fall

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The National Parks Board (NParks) of Singapore is currently defending itself against two separate negligence lawsuits involving wildlife encounters and infrastructure maintenance. In one case, claimant Durga Devi Subramaniam sued for S$39,827.10 in damages, alleging that NParks failed to manage wild boar populations or maintain adequate fencing, leading to an attack on May 1, 2023, that caused her permanent hand disability. A second, separate lawsuit involves two individuals suing the agency over a trip-and-fall incident caused by a temporary cable cover at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. NParks has denied negligence in both instances, arguing that it exercised reasonable efforts in wildlife management and that the boar attack occurred after the animal was struck by a vehicle in a traffic accident beyond the agency's control.

Consequences

The pending court proceedings will require the State Courts to determine whether the statutory duty of care held by NParks extends to the prevention of wild boar attacks in residential areas. The outcome may set a legal precedent for the liability of public authorities in managing human-wildlife interactions and infrastructure safety within the city-state.

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