Right whales belong to a genus comprising three large baleen whale species named the North Atlantic, the North Pacific, and the Southern right whale. These marine giants share the same family with the bowhead whale, and they can typically measure from 13 to 17 meters and weigh up to 100 short tons. Their bodies, mostly dark gray or black, are robust and characterized by a distinctive head marked with rough, white patches caused by parasitic whale lice. These whales are known for their migratory behavior, traveling according to seasons for feeding and breeding. Northern and southern populations are separated by warm equatorial waters, which serve as a natural boundary; however, the southern right whale has been observed crossing this boundary on rare occasions. Habitat preferences differ as well; right whales in the Northern Hemisphere prefer sheltered waters like bays and continental shelves, whereas Southern Hemisphere whales can be found both near the shore and further out at sea. Their diet mainly consists of small creatures such as copepods, krill, and pteropods, which they consume through various feeding strategies. Right whales have an interesting courtship process where many males gather to vie for the attention of a single female, indicating that they engage in a form of competition for mating opportunities. With a gestation period of a year and an eight-month nursing period, these whales invest substantial time in raising their offspring. Historically, right whales were heavily targeted by whalers due to their gentle nature, predictable behavior, and high blubber content, making them an ideal source of whale oil. Although commercial whaling is no longer a threat, human activities still pose risks to their populations.

On the 14th of June, 2024, at precisely 2:18pm, a maritime mishap unfolded when the Dutch-flagged dredging ship, Vox Maxima, unexpectedly collided with the immobile Singapore-flagged tanker, Marine Honour. This incident took place at the Pasir Panjang Terminal, where the tanker was moored adjacent to a container ship. The collision was severe enough to breach the tanker's hold, resulting in a substantial spillage of around 400 metric tonnes of low-sulphur fuel oil into the nearby sea. Subsequent investigations revealed that Vox Maxima had experienced a sudden failure of both its engine and steering systems just before the crash into Marine Honour. Consequently, the vessel, which was under the direction of a marine pilot from PSA Marine, became unmanageable, leading to the rupture of the tanker's oil storage compartment. It should be noted that the pilot was there primarily to offer navigational assistance rather than to take the helm at that critical moment. The Maritime and Port Authority were notified about the incident within minutes and promptly dispatched a team to the scene to prevent any further oil discharge from the damaged vessel. Despite the spill, the Marine Honour still contained around 400 tonnes of fuel. Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat clarified a few days later that the incident did not happen due to overcrowding in the port area, dismissing the notion that port congestion had played a role. After the Marine Honour's hull was compromised, the authorities were alerted, and measures were taken to restrict access to the contaminated zones along Palawan Beach. By the evening of the incident, precautionary actions were initiated. The urgent need for a cleanup operation was recognized the following day when oil was spotted off the coast of Sentosa Island. By morning, employees were mobilized, and a fleet of 18 response vessels was dispatched to manage the environmental fallout of the accident. The aim was to mitigate the impact of the oil spill on the marine and coastal environment as quickly and

Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) is an issue of growing concern worldwide, as it negatively affects both human communities and wildlife. This problem arises when humans and wild animals vie for the same natural resources, leading to adverse outcomes such as reduced food security, threats to human safety, harm to animal populations, and environmental degradation. With rising human populations and changes in land use, the frequency of these conflicts has been steadily escalating. These conflicts pose a substantial risk to sustainable development, agricultural productivity, and biodiversity conservation in both urban and rural areas. The impacts are wide-ranging and include crop and property damage, competition for water and grazing grounds, livestock attacks, human injuries and fatalities, and increased potential for disease spread between wildlife and livestock. To address HWC, previous strategies employed measures like culling, relocating animals, controlling animal population sizes, and focusing on endangered species protection. In more recent times, a more comprehensive approach has been developed. This multidisciplinary method incorporates scientific research, societal studies, and creative arts to devise better conflict resolution strategies. Aiming to tackle HWC effectively and to promote peaceful coexistence, the efforts now revolve around the need for informed, integrative, and cooperative practices. Such an approach necessitates consideration of the social, cultural, and economic factors at play. In 2023, a significant stride in this direction was made with the publication of the IUCN SSC Guidelines on human-wildlife conflict and coexistence. Crafted by the IUCN SSC Human-Wildlife Conflict & Coexistence Specialist Group, the guidelines offer foundational principles and pragmatic instructions for navigating and mitigating conflicts. By following these, there is hope for not only mitigating human-wildlife conflicts but for fostering an environment where both can coexist peacefully.