Residents report home intrusions, safety concerns, and slow response despite ongoing wildlife management efforts
What should be a peaceful riverside neighborhood has turned into an unexpected wildlife hotspot, leaving residents anxious inside their own homes.
Repeated Intrusions Into Residential Units
Residents at Punggol Waterway Sunrise 1 say wild monkeys have been climbing their HDB blocks and entering homes through open windows for months. On Jan. 12, a troupe of three long-tailed macaques reportedly entered a unit at Block 657A Punggol East. Photos shared by residents showed one monkey perched on a refrigerator while another sat on a table, after allegedly stealing a banana from the kitchen.
Homes No Longer Feeling Safe
According to residents’ Telegram group chats, the same monkeys also entered a 12th-floor unit and opened a container of baby milk powder. Video footage shared with local media showed monkeys scaling the exterior of the building with ease. Several residents described feeling trapped indoors and fearful of opening their windows, especially households with young children.
Frustration Over Lack of Visible Action
Residents said they had lodged multiple complaints through official channels, including feedback to their Member of Parliament, Janil Puthucheary. One resident said they first raised the issue on Dec. 23, 2025, noting that the monkey problem began soon after moving in. Despite repeated follow-ups, residents claimed no clear intervention or updates have been communicated, prompting some to install window grilles at the cost of natural ventilation.
A Known and Ongoing Issue in Punggol
The presence of macaques in Punggol is not new. Between Sep. 1, 2024, and Mar. 31, 2025, the National Parks Board received around 200 feedback cases related to long-tailed macaques in the area. These reports included sightings, home intrusions, and monkeys rummaging through rubbish bins, according to NParks group director How Choon Beng.
NParks’ Management Measures
Since 2023, NParks has implemented a sterilization program for macaques in the Punggol vicinity, including Coney Island Park. Then-Minister for National Development Desmond Lee previously said that 50 monkeys were trapped in 2024 as part of population control efforts. NParks has also enhanced habitats by planting more native fruiting trees to encourage monkeys to forage away from residential areas.
Advisory and Enforcement Measures
NParks advises members of the public to remain calm if approached by macaques, avoid eye contact, and slowly back away. Residents are also warned to keep plastic bags out of sight, as monkeys often associate them with food. Wildlife feeding remains illegal under Singapore’s Wildlife Act, with first-time offenders facing fines of up to S$5,000 and repeat offenders up to S$10,000. Wildlife-related incidents can be reported to the 24-hour Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600.
The Punggol monkey incidents highlight the growing tension between urban expansion and wildlife habitats in Singapore. As residential developments edge closer to nature reserves, effective coordination between authorities and communities will be critical to ensuring safety, public confidence, and sustainable coexistence for both residents and wildlife.
Sources: Mothership (2026)
Keywords: Punggol Monkeys, HDB Safety, Urban Wildlife, NParks Singapore, Macaque Management
