Decisions around Sterilisation, Trapping and Euthanisation of Monkeys in Punggol
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the management of the monkey population in Punggol, where Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim inquired about sterilization criteria and trapping statistics for 2024. Minister for National Development Mr Desmond Lee explained that NParks adopts a science-based approach informed by population research, incorporating long-term sterilization and the removal of aggressive monkeys. In 2024, NParks trapped 50 macaques in Punggol, with the majority being sterilized and others removed to safeguard public safety. The strategy also includes managing food sources through proper refuse disposal and community engagement on safe wildlife interaction. Minister Lee noted that residents play a crucial role by refraining from feeding wildlife to minimize intrusions into urban areas.
Transcript
16 Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for National Development in respect of the sterilisation programme for monkey population in the vicinity of Punggol (a) whether the sterilisation is performed only at specific sites with confirmed overpopulation of monkeys as supported by a population study and a projected estimated increase in population; (b) how many macaques have been trapped by NParks in 2024; and (c) how many of the trapped macaques have been sterilised and euthanised, respectively.
Mr Desmond Lee: As highlighted in past replies to several Members' queries about the National Parks Board's (NParks') wildlife management approach, NParks takes a science- and community-based approach to manage the monkey population and encounters in Singapore. As part of these efforts, NParks studies the population ecology of monkeys and the findings inform its measures. NParks also partners stakeholders to minimise human sources of food by ensuring proper refuse management, enforcing against feeding and putting in place measures to guard monkeys away from urban areas.
In areas with higher reported human-monkey conflict, NParks intervenes to protect public safety. This includes the implementation of long-term population control measures, such as sterilisation and removal of monkeys that display more aggressive or intrusive behaviour.
At Punggol, NParks has received several reports of human-monkey conflict. To manage the monkey population, NParks conducted extensive research and assessment on the population before implementing sterilisation in Punggol. In 2024, NParks trapped 50 monkeys in the Punggol vicinity, of which the majority were then sterilised. To safeguard public safety, some monkeys that display more aggressive or intrusive behaviour were removed. NParks has also been working closely with stakeholders, such as the Grassroots Advisers and Town Council, to engage the Punggol community on the mitigation measures and what to do during monkey encounters.
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.