At least 25 monkeys seen loitering around Punggol Northshore HDB block

Sometimes nature comes knocking at your door, which was proven true for some Punggol residents who were greeted by the sight of a troop of monkeys outside their doors.

A video uploaded to the Singapore Wildlife Sightings Facebook group shows at least 25 monkeys loitering around the common area and the roof of a sheltered walkway near a Housing and Development Board flat.

The footage was reportedly taken at 435B Northshore Drive.

"No parents would dare to bring their parents to the playground," the post's caption wrote.

Numerous monkey sightings at Punggol

It was previously reported that residents at a new Punggol Northshore Build-To-Order (BTO) project had numerous monkey sightings.

Long-tailed macaques at Punggol Northshore were later trapped in cages to be sterilised as part of population control, said group director of wildlife management at National Parks Board (NParks) How Choon Beng, in response to Mothership's queries.

The sterilisation programme started in late 2023 after extensive research and science-based assessment.

The programme is ongoing and will be monitored over time as a long-term management measure.

NParks also shared they are working with relevant authorities and community leaders to expand outreach and engagement with residents at Punggol Northshore about what to do when encountering these monkeys.

NParks is also enhancing the habitat at Coney Island Park by planting more native fruit-bearing trees, which are natural food sources for the monkeys.

What to do when you encounter monkeys

Members of the public are strongly encouraged not to feed macaques as it alters their natural foraging behaviour, habituates them to human presence, and leads them to rely on humans for an easy source of food.

In the event of a monkey encounter, the public is advised to remain calm and quiet, avoid sudden movements, and avoid eye contact with the wildlife.

Do not turn away from the monkeys and run. Instead, the public is advised to back off slowly and keep away from the area until the monkeys have left.

Members of the public are also advised to discard or conceal any objects on hand that might be attracting the monkeys such as plastic bags containing food.

For wildlife-related issues, the public can call the 24-hour Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600.

Top image via Silas Silas/Facebook