"Wild Singapore"? The book is rounded out by an introductory chapter describing the early naturalists and their activities after the founding of modern Singapore, and a final chapter describing some of our future biodiversity challenges and how Singapore will face them.

By now it must be difficult not to know that there are hornbills living wild and free in Singapore. They have received plenty of newspaper coverage over the past few years, and can be seen in many places on the mainland and offshore islands. But there is much more to their story than you might think.

For many male Singaporeans, Pulau Tekong is probably more familiar as the place they suffered through torturous physical training as National Servicemen. Yet, the mangrove forest of Pulau Tekong is one of the largest remaining patches of mangroves in Singapore undisturbed by human activities. As such, boundless opportunities exist of meeting some of the 'natives' probably not found anywhere else in Singapore.

On a hot day in June this year, the mangrove forest of Pasir Ris Park saw some 100 volunteers from Panasonic and their family members showing up in boots and gloves, all ready to muck about in the mud. Just picture National Geographic coming to life, but in our very own backyard here in Singapore.