NParks Traps 50 Monkeys in Punggol During 2024 as Part of Population Management Efforts

The National Parks Board (NParks) trapped 50 monkeys in the Punggol vicinity throughout 2024, with the majority of these animals sterilised as part of ongoing population management efforts, National Development Minister Desmond Lee revealed on 4 March 2025.

In a written parliamentary reply to Associate Professor Jamus Lim (WP-Sengkang), Mr Lee stated that some monkeys displaying more aggressive or intrusive behavior were “removed” to safeguard public safety.

NParks had received several reports of human-monkey conflicts in the area, prompting intervention in locations with higher reported cases.

“To manage the monkey population, NParks conducted extensive research and assessment on the population before implementing sterilisation in Punggol,” Mr Lee said.

The agency has adopted a science- and community-based approach to manage Singapore’s monkey population, which includes minimising human food sources through proper refuse management, enforcement against feeding, and measures to prevent monkeys from entering urban areas.

Growing concerns among Punggol residents about macaque intrusions

The monkey population in Punggol has caused several issues for residents in recent years. In 2022, monkeys were reported to emerge from forested areas behind Punggol Waterway and Coney Island in search of food.

Residents and shop owners complained that the animals would rummage through bins, damage property, and even run into shops and supermarkets to steal food.

More recently, in September 2024, new residents of Build-To-Order flats in Punggol Northshore expressed concerns after spotting long-tailed macaques at park connectors and climbing up Housing Board blocks.

According to a Reddit post last month, long-tailed macaques were found trapped in cages at Punggol Northshore, with reports of many monkey sightings circulating in Telegram community groups.

These macaques are forest fringe creatures that move between forest patches in search of food and territory. They have been observed traveling through Lorong Halus Wetland, Coney Island Park, and remaining forest patches around the Punggol area.

Short-term and long-term monkey management strategies in Punggol

On 5 February 2025, a post on a Facebook community group for residents of Waterway Sunrise, a Housing Board development in Punggol, detailed NParks’ measures to manage the situation.

The post explained that in the short term, teams are on-site to guide monkeys back to forested areas between Punggol Settlement and Waterway Sunrise Estate. Any monkeys invading homes would be caught and relocated to prevent further disturbances.

In the long run, monkeys in “breeding status” will be sterilised to control the population while ensuring they don’t face extinction in Singapore.

NParks is working closely with grassroots advisers and the town council to engage Punggol residents on mitigation measures and proper responses when encountering monkeys.

“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,” Mr Lee added.