Monkey attacks woman from behind at Chestnut Nature Park as she was about to drink from bottle covered in plastic bag
This was the first time she had been attacked by wildlife while hiking, and left her with a bite on her right hand.
SINGAPORE — A woman’s nature hike on Wednesday (3 April ended) with her being attacked by a wild macaque. The incident also left her with a bite mark on her right hand.
Amy Hoang, who works as a beautician, was exploring the trails at Chestnut Nature Park for the first time, and had stopped to take a pause at around 1.30pm. That was when the monkey struck.
Monkey attacked her from behind
“I was resting and was about to drink from a water bottle covered in a plastic bag when the monkey attacked me from behind and bit my right hand that was holding the water bottle and plastic bag,” Hoang told Yahoo Southeast Asia.
She then reflexively swung her arm toward the primate, causing it to run up a nearby tree and “growl” at her.
Feeling pain in her arm and fearing for her safety as she was alone and there were no other hikers on the trail, she immediately exited the area.
Hoang visited the doctor to tend to her injuries and was given an injection and medication for her wound.
First time she was ever attacked by wildlife
Hoang has done several hikes around Singapore, and this is the first time that she has ever been attacked by wildlife.
She said she plans to avoid Chestnut Nature Park for now, and urged other hikers not to hike alone, especially in a forested area.
She also cautions against holding any items in a plastic bag, as she believes that was what caused the monkey to target her.
What to do if you encounter a wild monkey outdoors in Singapore
The advisory on the National Park Board (NParks) website advises members of the public to remain calm and quiet, not make any sudden movements and not make eye contact if they encounter a monkey when outdoors.
It also advises against using plastic bags in parks and nature reserves, as monkeys associate plastic bags with food. Instead, backpacks should be used.
If you are holding an object that is attracting the monkey, hide it or throw it away, and never try to hit the monkey, Nparks said.
Earlier this year in February, macaques were caught on video playing with an automated teller machine at Beauty World Centre. Nearby shops also shared that it was common for monkeys to cause disturbances in the area.
Macaques have even been spotted in neighbourhoods farther from the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, such as Kovan and Hougang, and have been observed scaling HDB flats.
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