An eastern black-and-white colobus monkey has been found after living outside Singapore Zoo for six months.
The Mandai Wildlife Group located the monkey on 31 October.
And no, it’s not near Mandai. It has probably taken a Grab ride all the way to…Choa Chu Kang.
Colobus Monkey That Escaped from S’pore Zoo Found in CCK After Six Months
A 14-year-old black-and-white colobus monkey named Mykel, who had been missing from Singapore Zoo for six months, was found in the quiet streets of Choa Chu Kang.
The monkey was first sighted on 31 October in Villa Verde Park by a resident who quickly alerted the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES).
The organisation notified Mandai Wildlife Group, who immediately mobilised a team of animal care specialists and veterinarians to recapture Mykel.
Observers flocked to the park as teams from Mandai Wildlife Group and the National Parks Board (NParks) cordoned off the area to manage crowds and protect the animal.
Mykel, initially alarmed by the onlookers, retreated further up into the tree canopy.
Attempts to retrieve him continued through the evening but had to pause at sunset.
The effort resumed the following day with additional support, including a crane, to reach Mykel and safely administer a tranquilizer.
Finally, around 1:45 PM on 1 November, Mykel was recaptured and transported back to Mandai’s Wildlife Healthcare and Research Centre for a health check, where staff confirmed he was in good condition.
The Escape of Mykel: How Did He Get Out?
Mykel’s journey began six months earlier, after changes in the social hierarchy within his troop prompted him to leave the group.
According to Mandai Wildlife Group, such shifts in social structures can lead certain members, like Mykel, to seek independence—a common trait among colobus monkeys in the wild.
Using a connecting pole at the Primate Kingdom exhibit, Mykel made his escape, crossing the enclosure’s perimeter fence and leaving zoo officials in search of the wandering primate.
Since the escape, the zoo has made several modifications, including securing Mykel’s escape route and implementing measures to foster stability within the colobus troop.
Additionally, animal care staff have received training to detect early signs of social instability, reducing the likelihood of similar incidents in the future.
Eastern black-and-white colobus monkeys, like Mykel, are known for their striking appearance, with a unique U-shaped mantle of long white fur extending over their backs.
Native to Africa’s rainforests and woodlands, they are arboreal creatures, rarely venturing to the ground. Born with entirely white fur, the young monkeys develop their distinctive black-and-white coats as they mature, blending into the forest canopy for protection.
These primates are agile leapers, capable of covering up to 15 meters between trees, and can grow up to 75 cm in height and weigh up to 14 kg, although Mykel weighs 11 kg.
Despite his lengthy venture into Singapore’s urban jungle, Mykel’s species, classified as “least concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is not currently endangered.
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