Young macaque found dead in fishing net on tree in Pulau Ubin

A dead juvenile macaque was found entangled in a fishing net on a tree in Pulau Ubin.

PHOTO: TSCHONAS KORBI/FACEBOOK

Ang Qing

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SINGAPORE – A monkey’s carcass found hanging from a tree in Pulau Ubin was cleared on Sept 8.

The bizarre death of the long-tailed macaque, which was entangled in a fishing net, was first flagged in a Sept 7 post on Facebook group Singapore Wildlife Sightings, which said the carcass was found with flies buzzing around it in an area typically littered with rubbish left by anglers.

Responding to queries from The Straits Times, National Parks Board (NParks) director for conservation Lim Liang Jim said no foul play is suspected, and the juvenile macaque was removed on the morning of Sept 8.

This is the first time NParks has received a report on a macaque on Pulau Ubin getting entangled in fishing gear, as birds are usually the victims of abandoned fishing lines or nets.

Mr Lim said: “At designated fishing sites on Pulau Ubin, NParks encourages anglers to dispose of used fishing lines, old hooks and bait into litter bins after use.”

Primatologist Andie Ang said the macaque could have been trapped by the net on the ground and tried to escape it by climbing up the tree.

She said that macaques are the most vulnerable primate to becoming entangled in nets here as they move on the ground as well, unlike the Raffles’ banded langur and slow loris that typically remain in the trees.

“Also, macaques being naturally curious and inquisitive, especially the young ones, tend to investigate objects,” she noted.

Dr Ang, head of species grants and impact at Mandai Nature, said she has come across several incidents of macaques getting injured by fishing gear in Singapore, although these often involve fishing hooks.

She cited an incident in February involving a baby macaque in Lower Peirce Reservoir Park that was caught by a fishing hook in its mouth.

The juvenile endured a long and painful struggle to break free, as the fishing line was tangled in a tree. Fortunately, the baby was able to break free but was left with a deep gash on its cheeks.

Said Dr Ang: “It’s hard to rescue a monkey that gets hooked, and sometimes by the time it can be caught, it has usually become so weak and badly injured that it has to be put down.”

Mr Lim called on members of the public to fish recreationally at designated fishing spots responsibly, using more sustainable fishing methods.

He said: “Fish traps and nets tend to be more indiscriminate, and when lost in the sea, will continue to trap and kill fish and other marine life.”

“Nets that settle onto the seabed could also entangle corals or other bottom-dwelling organisms and can smother them to death. Other wildlife may also become entangled in the nets.”

Abandoned fishing gear has had a bloody history of injuring victims on the land and waters of Singapore and beyond.