NParks trapped 50 monkeys in Punggol in 2024 & sterilised the majority of them

There have been several reports of human-monkey conflict in Punggol in 2024.

As such, the National Parks Board (NParks) has taken steps to manage the macaque population.

NParks intervened

In response to a parliamentary question by Workers' Party Member of Parliament Jamus Lim, Minister for National Development Desmond Lee shared in a written reply that NParks will intervene in areas with more reports of such conflict, to ensure public safety.

In Punggol, extensive research and assessment on the macaque population were conducted, before measures were implemented.

These measures involved the trapping and sterilisation of the animals.

In 2024, a total of 50 monkeys were trapped, the majority of which were then sterilised, Lee said.

"To safeguard public safety, some monkeys that display more aggressive or intrusive behaviour were removed," Lee added.

NParks has also been working closely with stakeholders, such as the Grassroots Advisers and Town Council, to engage the Punggol community on the mitigation measures and what to do during monkey encounters.

In February 2025, photos of macaques trapped inside cages surfaced on Reddit.

A video showing dozens of macaques loitering around a Punggol Northshore Housing and Development Board estate was also posted online.

Managing the monkey population

Lee emphasised that NParks' takes a science- and community-based approach to managing the monkey population.

As part of these efforts, NParks studies the monkeys' population ecology. Their findings are then used to inform its population management measures.

NParks also partners stakeholders to minimise human food sources by ensuring proper refuse management, enforcing against feeding the monkeys, and putting in place measures to guard the monkeys away from urban areas.

Members of the public should avoid feeding monkeys, as they might associate people with food and become aggressive towards humans.

If you encounter a monkey:

• Remain calm and quiet. Do not make sudden movements and do

  not maintain direct eye contact with the monkey.

• Look away and back off slowly. Do not turn away from the monkeys and run.
• If you are holding an object that is attracting the monkeys, discard or conceal it.

"We can all play our part to minimise wildlife intrusions by refraining from feeding wildlife, keeping our residential areas clean, and appreciating wildlife from a safe distance," Lee concluded.

Top photo from random_avocado/Reddit