Punggol resident surprised to see dozens of monkeys near Tebing Lane

Submitted by Stomper Naveen

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Stomper Naveen was surprised to see several monkeys along a walkway near the Punggol Serangoon Reservoir on Monday evening (Jan 20).

He shared with Stomp a video he took of the animals moving alongside joggers and residents near Tebing Lane at about 7pm.

Among the macaques, were several mothers with babies clinging to their underbellies.

"This is the first time I've seen so many monkeys outside of Coney Island,"  said Naveen, who is a Punggol resident.

"They were not disturbing anyone and minding their own business.

"I was just surprised to see them so near a residential area."

With urbanisation, more monkeys are being drawn out of the forest.

According to NParks, here is what you should do if monkeys approach you in the open:

  1. Stop whatever you are doing immediately.

  2. Remain calm and quiet. Do not make sudden movements and do not maintain direct eye contact with the monkeys.

  3. Look away and back off slowly. Do not turn away from the monkeys and run.

  4. If you are holding an object which is attracting the monkeys, conceal or discard it.

  5. Do not try to hit the monkeys.

  6. If you have a child with you, put him/her on your shoulders. This will increase your perceived size, which could deter the monkeys from approaching you and your child.

  7. Keep away from the area until the monkeys have left.