'Cheeky' macaques play technician, remove component from Thomson lamp post

Two long-tailed macaques were caught with their tails up as they indulged in some "monkey business" along Old Upper Thomson Road recently.

Sharing a video it received from a member of public, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) dubbed the "cheeky" monkeys its "unexpected maintenance crew".

But what really happened, it said, was that the monkeys were removing a control node from a street lamp.

According to LTA, the control node that is mounted on top of the street lamp, is part of its remote control and monitoring system that allows it to automatically detect faults and control streetlights.

LTA said its system knew "something was up" after the node was removed, adding that this is not the first recorded instance of such an occurrence.

"So while our furry friends thought they were being sneaky, our system knew something was up.

"This isn’t the first time curious wildlife has taken an interest in our streetlight equipment, especially near forests and nature reserves."

The authority added that it is already working with its maintenance contractors on tamper-resistant measures and exploring designs that place the control nodes within the lamppost itself.

Cheekily ending off its post, LTA said: "Looks like our furry maintenance crew may soon have to find another job."

Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao reported that its reporter witnessed the incident on Sept 21 while passing through the area.

But it doesn't appear that the monkeys were up to no good.

Explaining the macaques' actions, the National Parks Board's (NParks) group director of wildlife management, How Choon Beng said in response to media queries: “Macaques are naturally curious and may explore unfamiliar objects in their environment."

He added that the animals may have removed the components out of curiosity or during play.

NParks described the incident as isolated and said it would continue to monitor the situation.

Those who run into these "aspiring technicians" should remain calm and quiet, avoid sudden movements and eye contact, and back off slowly.

Members of the public who require assistance can call the 24-hour Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600.

近日，两只长尾猕猴在旧汤申路上段嬉戏玩耍时，被拍到尾巴高高翘起。

陆路交通管理局（LTA）分享了一段从公众那里收到的视频，并将这些“调皮”的猴子称为其“意想不到的维修人员”。

但报道称，实际情况是，猴子们正在拆除路灯上的一个控制节点。

据陆路交通管理局称，安装在路灯顶部的控制节点是其远程控制和监控系统的一部分，该系统能够自动检测故障并控制路灯。

陆路交通管理局表示，该节点被移除后，其系统就知道“情况不对劲”，并补充说，这并非首次记录到此类事件。

“所以，当我们的毛茸茸的朋友们以为自己很狡猾的时候，我们的系统却知道有些不对劲。”

“这并非好奇的野生动物第一次对我们的路灯设备产生兴趣，尤其是在森林和自然保护区附近。”

该部门补充说，他们已经在与维护承包商合作，采取防篡改措施，并探索将控制节点放置在灯柱内部的设计方案。

LTA在帖子结尾俏皮地写道：“看来我们毛茸茸的维修人员可能很快就要另谋出路了。”

据《联合早报》报道，该报记者于9月21日途经该地区时目睹了这起事件。

但看起来这些猴子并没有图谋不轨。

针对猕猴的行为，国家公园局（NParks）野生动物管理组主任何春明在回应媒体询问时表示：“猕猴天生好奇，可能会探索环境中陌生的物体。”

他还补充说，这些动物可能是出于好奇或在玩耍时移除了这些部件。

国家公园局称该事件为孤立事件，并表示将继续监测事态发展。

遇到这些“有抱负的技术人员”的人应该保持冷静和安静，避免突然的动作和眼神接触，并慢慢后退。

需要帮助的公众可以拨打 24 小时动物救援中心电话 1800-476-1600。