A recent video showing a troop of monkeys calmly eating at a Woodlands HDB void deck has become a major talking point online, igniting a debate about how humans and wildlife coexist. The clip, posted on the “Singapore Incidents” Facebook page with the caption “Woodlands monkeys infestations,” has since received over 800 reactions and 127,000 views. In the video, a person is even seen tossing a banana towards the macaques, an act that has drawn significant criticism.
Some commenters expressed frustration, criticizing the act of feeding the monkeys and warning that it could make the animals more “aggressive” and dependent on humans for food.
Meanwhile, other social media users found humor in the situation. One person, referencing Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s National Day Rally speech, joked that the monkeys were ‘chope-ing’ spots in anticipation of new developments in the neighborhood.
Another user quipped that the monkeys were “queuing for their BTO.”
The conversation also touched on a more serious note, with one netizen taking issue with the term “infestation,” arguing that it was humans who had encroached on the animals’ natural habitat, not the other way around.
In a statement, a spokesperson from the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) weighed in on the incident, confirming that the forested areas in the vicinity of Woodlands have experienced a significant loss of forest cover over the past decade. The spokesperson further explained that the practice of feeding macaques has unfortunately encouraged the animals to venture into nearby HDB estates. This, in turn, creates “unnecessary conflict and puts both wildlife and people at risk.”
The ACRES spokesperson also reminded the public of the legal consequences of feeding wildlife. According to NParks, those who are caught in the act can face a stiff fine of up to S$10,000.
