Dead monkeys shown in photo circulating on social media were roadkill: NParks

SINGAPORE – Two monkeys with head wounds shown in an image circulating on social media were roadkill, said the National Parks Board (NParks) on Sept 4.

In a now-deleted post in the Facebook group Sayang Our Singapore’s Community Cats, the image, posted near noon on Sept 4, showed two macaques with large head wounds. There was no text or explanation accompanying the image.

In the post’s comments, Facebook users speculated on the cause of the monkeys’ injuries, with some suspecting possible human involvement.

NParks said it was alerted to the carcasses of two adult long-tailed macaques, as well as one injured juvenile of the same species, found in Mandai Road at about 9.30am on Sept 4.

The agency said it immediately sent a response team to the site. The team then removed both adult carcasses, while the juvenile died shortly after, said Mr How Choon Beng, NParks’ group director for wildlife management.

Mr How added that motorists should be alert to animals crossing when driving on roads flanked by forested areas, especially where there are signs to indicate animal crossings.

“Members of the public are reminded not to handle injured wild animals on their own,” he said.

For urgent reports of wildlife requiring rescue, they may contact NParks’ 24-hour Animal Response Centre on 1800-476-1600.

Other animals have also been victims of road accidents here.

Snakes

top the list of roadkill incidents

, with 499 dead snakes found between 2021 and 2024. During the same period, 152 lizards, 115 amphibians and 27 turtles were also found as roadkill.

In the early hours of Sept 2, 2025, a

rare sambar deer was killed

on the Bukit Timah Expressway following an accident involving two motorcycles.

In April, then Minister for National Development Desmond Lee announced that NParks would be extending exclusion fencing – which

aims to stop collisions between wildlife and vehicles

– to nine additional higher-risk locations over the next two years.