June 30, 2016, 02:36 PM 
In what could qualify as the most heartwarming piece of news this 2016 thus far, a long-tailed macaque has befriended a 70-year-old woman in Singapore and the duo are now best friends.
Named Chippy, the ape approached the woman, who is simply referred to as Madam Prema, about five and a half months ago, according to Channel News Asia.
The elderly lady's full name was not made known to protect her identity as it is illegal to feed monkeys in Singapore. Anyone found guilty runs the risk of being fined up to S$50,000 or jailed up to six months, or both.
According to Madam Prema, she was feeding the fish and water fowl in a pond at Lower Kent Ridge Park as part of her daily routine when she saw the monkey sitting close to her “begging for bread”. Prior to that, she said she had not seen any monkeys in the area in more than six years.
And when she returned the next few days, the monkey was still there.
Since then, she visits the park twice a day to meet the monkey.
Madam Prema is convinced Chippy is not a wild monkey but one that was previously kept as a pet. Its behaviour suggests it is not only not afraid of humans but even appeared playful.
Fearing for the safety and well-being of the monkey as it runs the risk of being culled by the authorities as complaints have been made, Madam Prema reached out to sanctuaries abroad and found one in Wales that would take Chippy in.
The cost of moving the monkey abroad is about S$5,000 to S$6,000, which Madam Prema said her family is willing to bear.
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) and the National Parks Board (NParks) said they are looking into the case.
They confirmed that since the start of 2016, they have received eight instances of monkey-related feedback in the vicinity of Kent Ridge Park, all of which were about a lone animal.
The Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary has even started a petition calling on the AVA to allow the monkey to be transferred over there.
The petition has received more than 1,800 signatures.
However, it is unclear whether this option is viable.
Top photo via Channel News Asia
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