SINGAPORE: It is truly surprising when an endangered animal is found hiding inside a washing machine in a home at Bukit Batok.

The Animal Concern Research and Education Society (ACRES) shared that they received a report last May 25 that residents in Bukit Batok had encountered a very unusual animal in their watching machine, as reported by 8world News. 

According to data, Malaysian pangolins, also known as Sunda pangolins, are one of the world’s most trafficked mammals. There are over a million pangolins globally that have been taken from the wild since 2000, and their species is predicted to decline by an additional 80% within the next two decades if they are not protected.

Upon seeing the animal, the authorities became curious and intrigued, knowing that this was the first time they had encountered such a shocking situation. 

With this, rescuers quickly advised the homeowners through phone communication to avoid using the washing machine until the animal was saved. When rescuers arrived at the location, they successfully managed to save the pangolin after exerting so much effort. 

“Although we have rescued animals from washing machines before, this is the first time we have rescued a Malayan pangolin from a washing machine… This Malayan pangolin will eventually be released back into the wild. Although it was not injured, it was frightened during the rescue,” ACRES remarked. 

Given that the incident happened near a nature reserve, the authorities suspect that the pangolin came from that place. 

ACRES encourages the public to message them or call their hotline if they encounter wild animals in danger and in need of assistance. 

Other related news 

Another animal in Singapore that is very popular is birds, and most of them are becoming a nuisance to the members of the public. There was a recent report where birds directly fly onto the tables and snatch diners’ food at a coffee shop in Toa Payoh. 

With this, the diners admitted that it was difficult to send them away, and the vendors even made their own partitions to prevent the birds from entering.

Read more about the news story here.

This article (Bukit Batok residents shocked to find pangolin inside washing machine) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

Kim Dacres gravitates toward renewal and care, transforming worn rubber into expressive sculptural portraits. The New York-based artist twists and braids tired treads into sleek buns and rows typical of Black hairstyles, which she embellishes with gear-like crowns and jewelry made of metal bike chains. Spray painting the material to mask marks, Dacres utilizes what might otherwise be deemed worthless to create bold visages.

A new body of work extends a series of celebratory busts the artist made to honor those who’ve inspired and influenced her. On view this month at Charles Moffett, Lost on a Two Way Street follows this trajectory, while adding flatter wall works evocative of Victorian-era cameos. “The emphasis on the subjects’ buns and braiding underscores the extreme efforts required to ‘keep up’ appearances in the harshest of environments—an acknowledgment of the vital role played by Dacres’ community in uplifting her spirit and maintaining her mental health,” the gallery says.

In an explicit reference to the current political climate, the artist has also interpreted the U.S. flag, replacing the stars with Black and brown figures. The stripes fray at the edges, while binding these anonymous faces to the fabric in a way that constricts movement. These works “flash in distress and cry out to helpless void—their condition betraying the truth of a symbol that has long failed to live up to its promise,” a statement says.

Lost on a Two Way Street runs from May 7 to June 20 in New York. Until then, explore more of the artist’s work on Instagram.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Kim Dacres Revitalizes Sleek Tires, Chains, and Gears in Defiant Sculptures appeared first on Colossal.