Long-tailed macaque found dead & hanging from tree at Pulau Ubin, no foul play suspected

A dead juvenile long-tailed macaque was seen hanging from a tree over a mangrove area in Pulau Ubin, Singapore.

Photos of the lifeless animal dangling in the air in an unusual position were uploaded to the Singapore Wildlife Sightings Facebook group on Sep. 7.

In the post, the person who uploaded the images wrote that the animal was found "next to" the Ah Ma Drink Stall on Pulau Ubin.

Emitted foul smell

There was apparently some difficulty in identifying the hairy-looking animal, which was described as "a monkey or other large mammal".

The carcass had attracted flies and emitted a foul smell as it was in a state of decomposition by the time it was seen by the person on the island.

The animal appeared to have been entangled in abandoned fishing lines or a net, it was added.

Fishing area

It was also noted in the post that the area had the "usual leftovers from anglers".

This included abandoned lines, hooks, nets, food boxes, batteries, cigarette butts, and half burnt coils.

Reactions

Some commenters online expressed sadness and anger over the incident.

Others speculated on how the animal ended up getting entangled in such a position.

One possible scenario involved the animal snatching the line and bolting up the tree beside the water, but inadvertently, got caught in it and was unable to cut itself loose.

Another responded that it appeared unlikely that a fishing net could be intentionally cast on the tree.

Identified as juvenile long-tailed macaque

In response to Mothership's queries, Lim Liang Jim, the National Parks Board (NParks) group director for conservation said it was aware of a juvenile long-tailed macaque carcass found entangled in a fishing net hanging from a tree at Pulau Ubin.

The carcass was cleared on the morning of Sep. 8.

No foul play suspected

Lim added: "No foul play is suspected."

The NParks statement further said members of the public are to carry out recreational fishing at designated fishing spots in a responsible manner, using more sustainable fishing methods.

Various types of fishing gear and methods, ranging from hook, rod and line, fish traps and nets have their own characteristics and vary in their impact on the environment, it was added.

"Fish traps and nets tend to be more indiscriminate, and when lost in the sea, will continue to trap and kill fish and other marine life," Lim said.

He added: "Nets that settle onto the seabed could also entangle corals or other bottom-dwelling organisms, and can smother them to death. Other wildlife may also become entangled in the nets."

NParks encourages anglers to dispose of used fishing lines, old hooks and bait into litter bins after use at designated fishing sites on Pulau Ubin.

Top photos via Tschonas Korbi from Singapore Wildlife Sightings