Monkey Mayhem in Punggol: The Wild Become the Unexpected Guests
Picture this: you’re enjoying a cozy family dinner, but a cheeky monkey has already set its sights on your plate. Sounds like a sitcom? Not quite. In the Punggol Settlement, the locals are dealing with a crew of about 30 mischievous macaques that consider the neighborhood restaurants and shops as their own buffet.
Why the Wild Go Bizarre?
According to Shin Min Daily News, these primates are ruining the peace. They’ve broken cutlery, snatched drinks, and even smashed glasses—think of them as the neighborhood’s most chaotic (and highly unlikely) delivery service.
One restaurant employee shared a chilling tale: “The diners were terrified at the time. They promised never to sit outside again. We’re on standby with a broom, just in case the monkeys decide to join the evening choir.”
Tendencies That Leave Restaurants Frenzied
- Food heists: Monkeys swoop in, steal on the side, and sometimes even break the glasses.
- Goods aversion: A convenience store employee reports that the monkeys make it to the counter every 10 days, grabbing bread loaves and chips. Each escapade costs the shop around $20–$30 in waste.
- Property damage: A bike shop owner in Punggol has once found his goods chewed up and his shop littered with their “sweepstakes” – literally feces.
A Face‑to‑Face Encounter That Made a Staff Balmy
Reviline, a Tandoor Lounge staff, decides she needed a break from the chaos. “I was too scared to go outside; they can get aggressive.” She recalls two months ago when a group of monkeys attempted to plunder her customers’ food. Customers tried to push them away—laugh, no, it was frightening as reality!
Beyond the Restaurants: The Entire Community’s Woes
When midway through the day, a book of Facebook users posted a warning photo that the monkeys “attacked” them in July 2022, locals feared these visitors might be coming from “Coney Island.” The NParks team recommends:
- Message: Don’t stare and don’t feed.
- Practical tip: Keep your snacks hidden and your pistols to your nose.
Government Takes (Half) The Monkey’s Hand
National Development Minister Desmond Lee mentioned on Aug 1 that Singapore’s NParks has handled about 2,500 monkey‑related complaints each year from 2017 to 2022. They’re working on reducing these headaches, though the local community may not see it for a while.
The Bottom Line
Monkeys adore Punggol, but for the local businesses, they’re an unexpected nuisance. Whether you’re wiping a dent in a plate or tossing a flyer around the corner, it’s hard to keep your life from being a simple stroll with a party of primates. Luckily, humor, quick wit, and a good broom seem to be the best antidote for keeping newspapers— or now, restaurants—cooperative.
