By Jeanette Wang
ST Art Researcher
jwang@sph.com.sg

 

IF THERE'S one surefire way of getting better at running, head for a run at the Peirce or MacRitchie Reservoirs.

I'm not talking about MacRitchie's tough, undulating off-road dirt trails or the long ascents at Peirce that provide a great workout for your legs. I'm talking about the monkeys - some hundreds of them - that call those nature reserves home. You can count on them to take your pace higher or even lengthen your intended route.

How? 

Well, I went for a 1hr 30min run at MacRitchie Reservoir's trails yesterday afternoon and that's what the monkeys did to me.

About an hour into my run I encountered some monkeys along the narrow dirt path. One especially large monkey sat in the middle of the path and had its back to me as I approached. I slowed down, thinking the monkey would scamper off into the trees once it saw me.

Oh, I was so wrong.

As I got to within half a metre of it, it turned and looked at me with menacing eyes, then roared and chased me like a tiger in a monkey's clothing. Any weariness I was feeling at that point disappeared straightaway, as I turned my body and sprinted as fast as my legs could carry me back in the direction I came from. Once I got to about 100 metres away, I looked back and saw that the monkey had given up near the base of the upslope.

Phew. Or so I thought.

As if being forced to take a longer route back to my start point was not enough for the day, I encountered yet another monkey. This one was much smaller and scampered up a tree as I approached. But, by then I had been struck by ape-o-phobia (if there is actually such a thing), so I turned around and took an even longer route back.

Of course, I don't blame the monkeys for doing what they did.

If there's anyone at fault, it's all thse people who continue to feed the animals - even under signs put up by NParks that read: "Stop feeding the monkeys. Fine: $500." I've even encountered countless cars that deliberately stop along Peirce Reservoir to feed the monkeys.

According to experts, feeding the monkeys changes their dietary habits and makes them aggressive when they are denied food. These monkeys, who were born to be hunted by predators and hunt for prey, are increasingly becoming domesticated and aren't afraid of humans anymore.

How would you like it if you or your familly or friend got attacked by a monkey? I'm sure, then, you would rather have those furry creatures starve instead. (And, no, they won't starve because it's in their nature to hunt for their own food).

So, please. If you want to feed monkeys, go to the Zoo instead. Spare a thought for us runners and hikers.

Have you ever being attacked by a monkey? Tell us your story here!