NParks officers go viral for using 'toy guns' to manage Punggol monkey problem
Ethel Tseng
TNP
August 4, 2025
Two National Parks Board (NParks) officers have gone viral after they were spotted calmly steering a troop of monkeys away from an HDB block - armed with what looked like toy guns.
In a TikTok video posted on Aug 3 by user @coconoteee, the officers are seen patrolling an HDB block in Punggol Coast, aiming toy-like rifles at the macaques.
Each shot emits a loud, rifle-like pop, drawing amused reactions from onlookers.
Around 10 monkeys can be seen loitering at the void deck, climbing railings and barriers, while curious residents watch. One passer-by is overheard asking: "Is that a water gun?"
The clip was set to dramatic action movie music and overlaid with the cheeky on-screen text: "POV: you get to water gun wild monkeys for public safety."
Its accompanying caption asked: "I saw this and need answers - what job is this??"
The post has since gone viral, amassing over 13,800 shares and 1,000 comments. Netizens reacted with everything from amusement and admiration to concern over whether the monkeys were being harmed.
Netizens commend NParks' actions
Some netizens were tickled by the sight, posting comments like "I want this job!" and "Where do I apply?"
Others praised NParks for taking proactive, non-violent steps to manage the situation.
"For people who say don't harm the animals, you don't know what the residents are facing daily," one user commented.
"Monkeys might be climbing into their flats daily, snatching food. Residents can't chase them away, and can only close their windows. I am thankful to NParks."
Another agreed, saying: "It is time to address this long-standing issue of how to handle monkeys. Residents - from children to the elderly - should not have to live in fear of monkeys harassing them in urban spaces."
They added: "Hopefully, this solution by NParks will help to effectively and systematically curb and cull the monkey problem."
Others raise concerns about animal welfare
Not everyone was on board with the approach. Some netizens questioned the effectiveness and ethics of using such tactics.
"I know the monkeys are being a hazard, but does this hurt them?", one asked, while another pointed out: "This will not keep them away permanently… what's the point?"
Others pointed to a deeper issue, suggesting that the presence of wild animals in urban areas is a consequence of human development encroaching on their natural habitats, leaving them displaced and homeless.
"We have built too many concrete buildings for people, so now the monkeys have nowhere to go. Their habitat was once where the buildings are," one commenter noted.
NParks responds: Water gel beads are safe for wildlife
In response to queries from The New Paper, NParks said it "adopts a science- and community-based approach in managing wildlife".
Mr How Choon Beng, group director of wildlife management at NParks, identified the animals in the video as long-tailed macaques.
He explained: "As part of our monkey guarding efforts, NParks has been using water gel beads as an additional measure to guide macaques away from residential areas and back into forested zones, as some have grown accustomed to existing deterrents."
He added that the loud sound from the device, combined with the scattering of gel beads, helps startle and deter the macaques.
Addressing concerns about animal welfare, Mr How said: "While the beads are not aimed directly at the macaques, should there be any inadvertent contact, they will burst upon impact and do not carry significant force at that range."
NParks said it has adopted a range of strategies to manage macaques. These include removing food sources through proper waste management, guiding the animals back to forested areas, removal of aggressive individuals, and carrying out sterilisation at specific sites.
"For wildlife management personnel who handle wildlife such as macaques, NParks offers wildlife management training courses to ensure public safety, personnel safety and animal welfare in the course of such activities."
If macaques approach, members of the public are advised to remain calm and avoid sudden movements or direct eye contact. NParks also advises keeping plastic bags out of sight, as macaques may associate them with food.
