By Chang Ai-Lien

THE shy and nocturnal flying lemur, which was thought to be destined for extinction here, has surprised a researcher who found the furry mammal to be thriving in Singapore's nature reserves.

An estimated 3,000 flying lemurs were found in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Area, said Mr Norman Lim, who has spent the past 1 1/2 years studying the animal.

'This is quite a healthy number for a medium-sized mammal, and indicates that the animal is doing well,' said the fourth-year student from the department of biological sciences at the National University of Singapore.

His study was the first census of flying lemurs here. Previous estimates had the population at about 200 animals.

Though little is known about the creature, it is believed that it has thrived despite the shrinking habitat here because it is not a very fussy eater, feeding on a variety of leaves, and has no predators.

It has also adapted to life in the thicker jungles of secondary forests.

Mr Lim said that although flying lemurs could be found in all types of forest, they prefer primary forest. This is probably because of its richer variety of trees - the animal's main source of food. The taller trees also give them more room to manoeuvre.

There are only two species of flying lemur in the world, both of which are found in South-east Asia, and their closest relatives are not known, although experts say they could be primates or bats.

The animal's distinctive feature is a membrane of skin that acts like a cape. Stretched between the neck and the forepaws, and the hind legs and the tip of the tail, it allows the creature to glide over 100m from tree to tree.

Going by their numbers here, the flying lemur population is likely to be sustainable and there is no immediate threat of extinction, said Mr Lim.

Associate Professor Peter Ng, director of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research: 'This animal is secretive and rarely seen. A study like this shows that an endangered animal like the flying lemur is doing better than we thought.'

However, other less-adaptable species could be in trouble.

Earlier this year, a landmark study by the National University of Singapore and Australia's Northern Territory University found that Singapore has lost about half its animal species in the last 200 years.

Based on detailed documentation of the state of mammals, birds, fish and butterflies on the island, it found that at least 881 of 3,196 recorded species, or 28 per cent - had vanished forever.

Taking into account the probable number of animals here before detailed records were made in the late 1800s, it predicted this figure was actually higher - about half Singapore's animals.

And more than half of those remaining live in the nature reserves.

Considering how many species have gone extinct, Prof Ng said it was a very pleasant surprise to find the flying lemurs thriving.

'It shows that even though we have small forests, they do contain some jewels.'