Water beads found in NParks dog corral at Bidadari, sparking concern from caretakers
Water beads, which can be deadly to animals if ingested, were found in an NParks corral set up to trap Bidadari’s stray dogs. Caretaker Jermaine Chua has demanded an investigation, warning the beads pose serious risks to the dogs’ health.
SINGAPORE: Water beads—small, colourful gel-like balls that expand in moisture—have been discovered inside a corral set up by the National Parks Board (NParks) at Bidadari Park, raising concerns about the safety of stray dogs in the area. The corral, part of NParks’ plan to trap and remove the dogs, is regularly visited by trappers who place food and water inside to encourage the animals to enter. Jermaine Chua, a long-time caretaker of the Bidadari stray dogs and the person behind the Doggie Mommy Instagram account, first highlighted the discovery in a 6 May post. She uploaded a photo showing the beads scattered inside the enclosure, alongside a caption expressing alarm. “We found quite a number of these mysterious ‘water beads’ scattered inside the corral. We do not know if any of the dogs have already ingested them,” Chua wrote. Chua warned that the beads are hazardous because they expand significantly when wet. If ingested, they pose a choking risk and can cause life-threatening intestinal blockages. While their toxicity remains unclear, some water beads are known to contain acrylamide, a carcinogen and neurotoxin. She questioned: “Why are these dangerous beads in the corral? Who put them there? And who is trying to harm the Bidadari dogs?” In a follow-up post on 12 May, Chua stated that her team had immediately contacted NParks and requested a thorough investigation into how the beads ended up in the corral. She also shared a video of a dog excreting rainbow-coloured beads after apparently mistaking them for food, urging pet owners to be vigilant. “Water beads, also known as Orbeez, are dangerous to pets and may result in death,” she wrote. “Pet owners, please keep these dangerous water beads away from your pets.”
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NParks’ Plan to Remove Bidadari Dogs
The group of stray dogs, which has lived in Bidadari for nearly a decade, has been trapped and may soon be removed following complaints from residents. These include reports of barking and alleged “territorial behaviour” displayed by the dogs towards park visitors. NParks cited over 60 such reports, including around 20 incidents where dogs were said to have chased members of the public. While no attacks were reported, the agency said a young child was injured while running away from the dogs. In response to the complaints, NParks has implemented several mitigation measures. A U-shaped blue canvas hoarding has been installed to serve as a visual barrier between the dogs and parkgoers, and the agency is proceeding with its removal efforts. NParks previously said it would use internationally recognised humane trapping methods similar to those in its Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage (TNRM) programme. As part of this, the corral—designed like a playpen—was placed near the dogs’ feeding area and fitted with kibble, water, and surveillance cameras to help the animals acclimate.Appeal for Humane Alternatives
In an open letter published in March, Chua and fellow caretakers appealed to NParks not to rely solely on trapping as a solution. They pointed to the existing hoarding as evidence that physical barriers can reduce interaction between park visitors and the dogs. If the current setup has proven effective, Chua urged NParks to consider a more permanent barrier as a long-term solution. “Such an approach would address public safety concerns while allowing the dogs to remain in a designated area—offering stability and harmonious co-existence,” the letter stated.View this post on Instagram
