What has been confirmed
CNA reported on 20 August 2026 that PUB was alerted to a crocodile sighting at Pandan Reservoir at about 3pm and informed the National Parks Board. The Singapore Rowing Association and Singapore Canoe Federation were told to suspend all water activities in the reservoir.
The report said NParks and PUB were searching for and seeking to capture the animal, and that signage was being installed around the reservoir. Based on a reviewed photo, PUB assessed the animal as likely an estuarine crocodile. The reviewed sources do not report an injury and do not identify Penguin Swim School, a Penguin coach, a Penguin lesson, or a Penguin customer as involved.
What to do at Pandan Reservoir now
Follow the suspension and keep out of the reservoir. AVS and NParks advise people who encounter a crocodile to stay calm and back away, without approaching, provoking, touching, or feeding it. Keep away from the water edge and do not enter the water.
Report a sighting to the NParks Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600. Do not move closer for a photograph or try to handle the animal; leave the response to the authorities.
This is not a general swimming-pool suspension
PUB describes Pandan Reservoir as a water-sports area used for kayaking, canoeing, and rowing. The reported suspension concerns water activities in that reservoir. The reviewed sources do not announce a wider closure of Singapore swimming pools or connect the sighting to Penguin lessons.
Families using a public, condo, club, or private swimming pool should continue to follow that venue's own operating and safety instructions. There is no factual basis in the reviewed sources to imply that an unrelated Penguin pool lesson caused or formed part of this event.
Penguin's practical position
Open-water advisories and venue instructions should be followed immediately. Swimming ability, coaching, or water-safety certification is not a reason to enter a restricted reservoir or ignore wildlife guidance.
For pool lessons, families should still confirm the venue, pool rules, learner readiness, supervision plan, and any same-day operating notice. Penguin can help families choose an appropriate pool-based lesson setup, but this news update is not a claim of involvement in the Pandan Reservoir response.