When darkness falls over Singapore, photographer Tan Yong Lin embarks on his nocturnal mission through the city streets, camera in hand, searching for one of the most elusive creatures that call the urban landscape home. His target: the common palm civet, a wide-eyed nocturnal mammal that has mastered the art of navigating Singapore's sleeping neighborhoods under the cover of night.
Lin has developed a unique approach to photographing these shy creatures, relying solely on ambient light from housing estates rather than artificial flash photography. "The civets are largely nocturnal, and I do not use any artificial lights to photograph them, relying on the ambient light of the housing estates for my photos," Lin explained. This technique allows him to capture intimate moments without disturbing the animals' natural behavior patterns.
The photographer's dedication to documenting urban wildlife has revealed a hidden world that most Singapore residents never witness. Many locals are surprised to discover these creatures living alongside them in the city. Facebook user Hei Mao Mao commented on Lin's photographs with amazement, writing, "[I] live in [Singapore] for 50 [years and] never seen one." This reaction highlights how the nocturnal nature of palm civets keeps them largely invisible to the human population.
Lin's photographs capture palm civets as they scurry between houses, illuminated only by dim streetlights and residential lighting. The animals appear to pose momentarily for the camera before disappearing back into the shadows. Their large, round eyes – perfectly adapted for night vision – create striking images that showcase their natural beauty and mysterious presence in the urban environment.
Through his extensive wildlife photography career, Lin has encountered countless species, but palm civet sightings hold special significance for him. He describes their behavior with deep appreciation: "Prowling in the shadows, our urban common palm civets use the cover of nightfall to hunt and search for food, both on the trees and on the ground. Making use of urban features, such as fences and railings, they navigate our sleeping city with ease."
The photographer emphasizes how well-adapted these creatures are to city life, noting that the abundance of tall trees in Singapore's neighborhoods provides them with easy refuge when they feel threatened. Palm civets have successfully integrated urban infrastructure into their natural movement patterns, using man-made structures to traverse the cityscape efficiently.
Respectful wildlife photography practices are central to Lin's work. He maintains a philosophy of minimal interference, understanding that these animals are naturally timid. "These civets can be extremely shy as well, so I will keep my movement minimal and give them space by keeping a distance," he said. This approach ensures that the civets can continue their natural behaviors without stress or disruption.
Lin's photography serves an important educational purpose, bringing awareness to Singapore's urban wildlife and demonstrating how wild animals adapt to city environments. His images prove that even in densely populated urban areas, nature finds ways to thrive alongside human development when given proper respect and space.
For those interested in seeing more of Lin's nocturnal wildlife photography, his work can be viewed on his Facebook and Instagram accounts, where he continues to document the hidden animal life that emerges after dark in Singapore's urban landscape.
