Saturday, May 22, 2010
A Word on the Monkeys
People have been complaining more and more about the Hindhede monkeys and their wanderings outside the borders of Bukit Timah. I don't understand what people expect- Bukit Timah isn't a zoo, and they can't keep the monkeys inside. They're wild animals. Anyway, I'm hoping that people might be willing to give NParks some POSITIVE feedback about the monkeys. If you've been to Bukit Timah lately and enjoyed watching the monkeys' antics, or had fun photographing them, or got a laugh out of watching the little ones play, then send NParks a message, telling them how much you like the monkeys. You can give them feedback on their website at this address.
Also, on a separate note, if you DON'T like the monkeys, then don't move in anywhere near Bukit Timah. Real estate agents and condo owners seem to fail to mention the monkey problem to people looking to live near Bukit Timah- at Angsana, Raintree, South Haven, Le Wood, or the new Mont Timah. These places all have problems with the monkeys- the monkeys snatch plastic grocery bags, eat ornamental plants (see photo below), occasionally crawl in open windows, sometimes damage property, raid trash cans (see other photo below) and generally cause a nuisance, especially for people who don't like monkeys. So, unless you want to deal with the monkeys, don't move into those places. Otherwise you're just going to complain all the time and cause trouble for the monkeys, and people like me are not going to like you- and your neighbors will probably think you're annoying too.
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Totally agree! : ) It's so ridiculous to complain when one chose to stay next door to nature areas. People should know what is in store... guests not only in the form of monkeys, but snakes, squirrels and lizards aplenty. And over the years, you hear request for culling and getting AVA and Nparks to provide cages to trap the animals. So ridiculous and unreasonable.
ReplyDeleteGood news! While on Operation No Release duty at Singapore Quarry, I chatted with a mountain-biker. Turned out he is a Raintree Condo resident who really appreciate our natural heritage. I told him about the complains we got about the monkeys and he said along the line of: they are harmless. Well, if you can't stand them, don't live there! Yes, I did tell him residents like him need to speak up too!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant post! How about hyperlinking condo's websites to this post (including so many new ones coming up around BTNR)so that potential buyers who do a internet search are more likely to read this wonderful post ;-D
ReplyDeleteif people are really 'annoyed' by the monkeys raiding their bins, they should write to NParks to provide monkey proof bins. if they can have it in Ubin, they can have it here. Benefits both monkey and human. People should start to learn how to appreciate and respect nature first; they will then know how to do the same to humans.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback, everyone! I hope you'll share your comments with NParks! :-)
ReplyDeleteDon't everything NParks NParks Garmen Garmen leh.... if they choose to build developments near nature, they should be responsible for impacts to nature- such as whether the mozzie fogging is drifting into the forest and killing insects. Developers should look into designs that prevent monkeys from coming in and also build bins that are monkey-proof.
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ReplyDeleteYes, we ordinary citizens can do our part and Nparks theirs. We work hand in hand even though on our own steam. It would be good that mindset change start at our home and our citizentry. Now if that level of rationality is attained, Nparks will follow suit in some case, e.g. not putting rubbish bins into forest reserves. People should automatically think and do the best thing - i.e. take out our own trash and bring home for disposal. I wish this level of maturity is sooner here and now. But alas...
ReplyDeletegreat point - people moving into a new place should do their due diligence and not expect the residents (monkeys, cats, etc) to move out just because THEY have moved in.
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ReplyDeleteIn 2008, a survey of visitors to the parks and residents around the parks found that MOST people support protection and conservation of the macaques. However, because the unhappy people are the ones that complain, I feel that the interests of people who dislike the monkeys are being overrepresented. Despite the fact that they represent a minority opinion, policy decisions are being made based upon their complaining. I guess it's true that the squeaky wheel always gets the grease.
ReplyDeleteYes - same thing with cats. That's why your suggestion to email the authorities is a great one.
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