NSS Kids’ Fun with The Bigfoot Leave No Trace Challenge

 By Gloria Seow, Education Committee Vice Chairperson

Bigfoot (also known as Sasquatch) is a mythical ape-like bipedal creature that people claim to have seen in the wilds of America and Canada. However, investigations by scientists and the authorities have never found it, and Bigfoot is regarded as mere folklore, a misidentification or a hoax, rather than a real animal. Just as 'Bigfoot' leaves no trace of his passing through wild areas, we should do the same, to minimise our impact on the environment. This was the message that Uncle Hang Chong brought to NSS Kids on 5 October 2019 in a fun session held at MacRitchie Reservoir. 

One of the seven Leave No Trace principles is to 'Respect Wildlife' by not feeding them intentionally or unintentionally, and viewing them from a respectful distance. How far is a 'respectful distance'? A rule of thumb that Uncle Hang Chong taught was to literally use one's thumb as a gauge. Hold out one's thumb at arm's length and close one eye. If your thumb is able to block out the animal you are observing, then you are far enough. We tried this on a troop of playful Long-tailed Macaques about 20 m away and were glad that we were already keeping a respectful distance from them. 

Another Leave No Trace principle is to 'Dispose of Waste Properly'. This is in line with the Keep Singapore Clean mantra. Uncle Hang Chong modelled this behaviour by picking up banana peel litter and binning it. In the context of outdoor camping, this principle will require people to pack up their trash to take away with them, bury their faeces, wash things about 70 m (200 feet) away from water sources to prevent pollution, amongst other measures.    

Uncle Hang Chong took out a variety of objects from his backpack including a torchlight, magnifying glass, magnetic compass, insect repellent, rain gear, map etc. Every kid chose an item and Uncle Hang Chong proceeded to explain each object's use in an outdoor trip. He was also demonstrating another Leave No Trace principle of 'Plan Ahead and Prepare'. 

One parent spotted a bird which Auntie Gloria identified as the majestic Stork-billed Kingfisher, the largest of nine kingfishers found in Singapore. This was a welcome break to appreciate wildlife living in the great outdoors. 

Uncle Hang Chong then played a game with the kids, getting them to sort through photos and cluster them under the correct Leave No Trace principles they represent. Read more about the seven principles at https://www.bigfoottrail.org/route/leave-no-trace/.