Macaques Climbing Up Into 5th Floor Clementi Flat And Raiding Kitchen Spook Netizens

“INVADING INTO RESIDENTS’ LIVES! PESTS! DON’T BLAME THE MONKEYS!…”

🙊🙈🙉

Many of you have written to us or called our hotline regarding videos of macaques climbing the HDB at Clementi St 31/Sunset Way, with different perspectives. We also received a number of requests asking to relocate them to the forests. Here are some fact bites:

Macaques are forest fringe animals; they forage for food at the edge of forests. As the neighbourhood is located right next to Clementi/Maju and Dover forests, it is not unusual for macaques to be foraging there – considering the recent disturbances from forest clearing which can potentially displace them and affect their foraging habits. It is also a risk for them to climb buildings in such a manner; they would only do that if they have learnt that they are sure to get food sources. This climbing behaviour was observed also in Bukit Panjang a few years ago, with a repeated feeder.

As expected, we are aware that the macaques are returning to this neighbourhood frequently because they are being fed by some people. If you see anyone feeding the macaques, please encourage them to stop.

Relocating macaques is not an effective long-term solution. As long as macaques are able to easily access food in the neighbourhood, they will keep returning.

In this post, we would like to share some useful pointers to minimize conflict during this crucial period. Please note that none of these tips will yield an overnight impact or change in the situation. Let us use a combo of compassion and common sense towards coexistence:

The key means of preventing macaques from entering your unit and remaining in the vicinity, is to ensure that they are not able to obtain or even see any easily accessible food items. Hence, do keep all food inside the fridge, cupboards, and opaque containers.

We appeal to residents to:

• Not feed the monkeys

• Not leave trash lying around

• Not hold plastic bags in plain sight of the monkeys

• If the monkeys happen to be outside your house, do close the windows and draw any curtains to prevent the monkey from looking in and being tempted by food indoors.

• This tip is to be used only when necessary, and NOT for simply any monkey sighting: If monkeys are in your path, you could clap your hands from a distance to get the monkeys to move away. Do not run after or hit the monkey, as these actions can provoke a defensive reaction. You can watch this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfzRIJHKCNs – refer to ~5:20 minute mark to see a demonstration of how to encourage a macaque to move in a non-invasive manner.

• Please help to close any dustbins with open lids to prevent the monkeys from obtaining food from bins

It will take several weeks of consistent practice from EVERYONE, but the macaques will learn that they cannot access any food there, eventually minimizing conflict situations.

Thank you for your patience and compassion!

https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/macaques-climbing-5th-floor-clementi-flat-and-raiding-kitchen-spooks-netizens

#humanwildlifeconflict

#singapore

#Coexistence

#OurWildNeighboursSg



Some ‘super troopers’ stormed a HDB block at Clementi on Saturday (July 16), providing neighbours with quite a show.But hold the applause. Instead of the elite special forces, the stars of the video appear to be a troop of long-tailed macaques….

Source: https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/macaques-climbing-5th-floo..

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ACRES

ACRES (Animal Concerns Research & Education Society) is a pioneering Singapore-based charity and Institution of Public Character, founded by Singaporeans in 2001 with the aim of promoting animal welfare.

ACRES has six focus areas: Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, Wildlife Crime Investigation, Zoo Animal Welfare, Humane Education, Community Outreach and Promoting Cruelty-Free Living.

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