Bukit Timah Monkey Man
Encyclopedia
The Bukit Timah Monkey Man, commonly abbreviated as BTM or BTMM, is a cryptid
said to inhabit Singapore, chiefly in the forested Bukit Timah
region. The creature is often cited as a forest-dwelling hominid or primate
, and is also accounted for as being immortal; however, its exact identity remains unknown, and its existence disputed. Documentation of the BTM is sparse and scattered; the creature is largely considered a product of local folklore
. Karl Shuker
, a leading cryptozoologist, however has featured the BTM at length in his book Extraordinary Animals Revisited (2007).
Alleged sightings of the animal are rare. Records come mainly from Malay folklore, accounts from Japanese
soldiers in World War II, and occasional unconfirmed reports from local residents. The first claimed sighting is said to have occurred in about 1805; the most recent was in 2007. The BTM is said to be hominid-like, greyish in colour, and between one and two meters (3 to 6 feet) in height, with a bipedal gait. All sightings have been centred upon the Bukit Timah region, which gives rise to the cryptid's name.
If the creature were to truly exist, its living habitat would be markedly small. The Bukit Timah rainforest, its habitation, is 164 hectares (405.3 acre) in area, amounting to approximately 1.6 square kilometre (0.617763453748056 sq mi), and the area is frequented by visitors and park watchers. Additionally, the area is wholly enclosed by urban settlements, being just 12 kilometres from the city centre, which would likely increase detection by humans. Some experts believe these claims to be a case of mistaken identity; that the observations were probably that of large Crab-eating Macaque
s, a monkey species common to the area. Cases such as these are also often dismissed as mass hysteria at work.
region and its vicinity. The first report of the creature came in 1805, before the colonial British discovery of Singapore, when a Malay elder claimed to have seen an upright-walking, monkey-faced creature in the Bukit Timah area. Japanese soldiers also reported the creature during World War II. Richard Freeman, a cryptozoologist, has argued that an animal such as the Monkey Man could have easily inhabited Singapore in the pre-colonial days.
The most recent sighting of the BTM was in 2007. A Singapore tabloid, The New Paper, has since featured the cryptid on its papers, gathering accounts from a number of witnesses. Amongst those highlighted in the article are:
A 48-year-old taxi driver, who lives around the neighbourhood of Serangoon
, was quoted as saying:
A 29-year-old housewife said:
A 65-year-old retiree from the neighbourhood of Bukit Panjang
recalled the creature from his childhood, saying:
The Chinese-language paper Shin Min Daily News
also reported on the BTM in 2008, stating that the Monkey Man would appear after dark in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
. The paper described the creature as having the face of a monkey but walking upright like a man; it dispatched a journalist to comb for evidence, but the expedition proved futile. The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve official take provided at that point in time was that people were mistaking the common long-tailed (aka crab-eating) macaque monkeys for the Monkey Man.
, and the Crab-eating Macaque
monkeys in particular bear similarities to the descriptions of the Monkey Man. Both species are bipedal hominids with greyish appearances. The clearest distinction between the two would be in size; the Crab-eating Macaques are typically 38-55 centimetres in body length, while the BTM's height is said to be between one to two metres. Height perception, however, may also be influenced by factors such as darkness and angular perception.
Human-macaque interaction in general is not without conflict; the situation is aggravated in Singapore, where humans often provide food, eventually leading to aggression in macaque monkeys when they fail to obtain food in subsequent encounters. Additionally, in Singapore, frequent contact tends to make the monkeys fearless towards humans, and they sometimes chose to gather food directly from their human counterparts instead of foraging in the forest. There have been incidents where macaque monkeys raided houses to gather food, occasionally leading to standoffs with residents.
Besides local monkeys already existing in the region, the Monkey Man has been connected to other cryptids. The most similar link would be the Orang Pendek
, a similarly described cryptid that resides in the Indonesian island of Sumatra
; some cryptozoologists have even placed the BTM as part of the Orang Pendek species. The creature is also frequently likened to the reported Monkey-man of New Delhi
, in India. In the latter case, many have believed mass hysteria as the sole cause of the perpetuation. The two cryptids have themselves been linked to the Spring Heeled Jack
, an extra-ordinary leaper that frightened civilians in England
in the 19th and 20th century, in a feature by Terry Deary
in his book True Monster Stories
(1992).
Cryptid
In cryptozoology and sometimes in cryptobotany, a cryptid is a creature or plant whose existence has been suggested but is unrecognized by scientific consensus and often regarded as highly unlikely. Famous examples include the Yeti in the Himalayas and the Loch Ness Monster in...
said to inhabit Singapore, chiefly in the forested Bukit Timah
Bukit Timah
Bukit Timah is an area in Singapore and a hill in that area. Bukit Timah is located near the centre of the Singapore main island. The hill stands at an altitude of 163.63 metres and is the highest point in the city-state of Singapore...
region. The creature is often cited as a forest-dwelling hominid or primate
Primate
A primate is a mammal of the order Primates , which contains prosimians and simians. Primates arose from ancestors that lived in the trees of tropical forests; many primate characteristics represent adaptations to life in this challenging three-dimensional environment...
, and is also accounted for as being immortal; however, its exact identity remains unknown, and its existence disputed. Documentation of the BTM is sparse and scattered; the creature is largely considered a product of local folklore
Folklore
Folklore consists of legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales and customs that are the traditions of a culture, subculture, or group. It is also the set of practices through which those expressive genres are shared. The study of folklore is sometimes called...
. Karl Shuker
Karl Shuker
Karl P. N. Shuker is a British zoologist, cryptozoologist, and author living in the West Midlands, England. He works as a full-time freelance zoological consultant, media consultant, and noted author specializing in cryptozoology.- Career :...
, a leading cryptozoologist, however has featured the BTM at length in his book Extraordinary Animals Revisited (2007).
Alleged sightings of the animal are rare. Records come mainly from Malay folklore, accounts from Japanese
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
soldiers in World War II, and occasional unconfirmed reports from local residents. The first claimed sighting is said to have occurred in about 1805; the most recent was in 2007. The BTM is said to be hominid-like, greyish in colour, and between one and two meters (3 to 6 feet) in height, with a bipedal gait. All sightings have been centred upon the Bukit Timah region, which gives rise to the cryptid's name.
If the creature were to truly exist, its living habitat would be markedly small. The Bukit Timah rainforest, its habitation, is 164 hectares (405.3 acre) in area, amounting to approximately 1.6 square kilometre (0.617763453748056 sq mi), and the area is frequented by visitors and park watchers. Additionally, the area is wholly enclosed by urban settlements, being just 12 kilometres from the city centre, which would likely increase detection by humans. Some experts believe these claims to be a case of mistaken identity; that the observations were probably that of large Crab-eating Macaque
Crab-eating Macaque
The Crab-eating macaque is a cercopithecine primate native to Southeast Asia. It is also called the "long-tailed macaque", and is referred to as the "cynomolgus monkey" in laboratories.-Etymology:...
s, a monkey species common to the area. Cases such as these are also often dismissed as mass hysteria at work.
Sightings
Sightings of the BTM are rare, almost all in the Bukit TimahBukit Timah
Bukit Timah is an area in Singapore and a hill in that area. Bukit Timah is located near the centre of the Singapore main island. The hill stands at an altitude of 163.63 metres and is the highest point in the city-state of Singapore...
region and its vicinity. The first report of the creature came in 1805, before the colonial British discovery of Singapore, when a Malay elder claimed to have seen an upright-walking, monkey-faced creature in the Bukit Timah area. Japanese soldiers also reported the creature during World War II. Richard Freeman, a cryptozoologist, has argued that an animal such as the Monkey Man could have easily inhabited Singapore in the pre-colonial days.
The most recent sighting of the BTM was in 2007. A Singapore tabloid, The New Paper, has since featured the cryptid on its papers, gathering accounts from a number of witnesses. Amongst those highlighted in the article are:
A 48-year-old taxi driver, who lives around the neighbourhood of Serangoon
Serangoon
Serangoon is town situated in the central part of the city-state of Singapore, within the North-East Region. The Housing and Development Board housing estate of Serangoon New Town in Serangoon is one of the smaller new towns. Its town centre is known as Serangoon Central, and is the target of...
, was quoted as saying:
"When driving my taxi past the fire station on Upper Bukit Timah Road in the middle of the night I hit what I thought was a child that ran out in the middle of the road. It was on the car bonnet and then snarled at me - it was like a monkey but so big! It ran off injured covered in blood, and holding its arm which was broken."
A 29-year-old housewife said:
"I was going to the bus stop early one morning to catch the bus 171. It was very foggy and cold. I thought I saw a tramp going through the rubbish bin, however when I approached, it called out with a loud animal sound and ran back into the forest. It was grey, hairy and ran on two legs, but had a monkey's face. I was shivering with fear and called the police but to no avail."
A 65-year-old retiree from the neighbourhood of Bukit Panjang
Bukit Panjang
Bukit Panjang is a suburban area situated in the Central North-Western part of Singapore. The Bukit Panjang Planning Area, located in the West Region, encompasses the Housing Development Board's housing estate of Bukit Panjang New Town and the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.-Etymology:Bukit in the...
recalled the creature from his childhood, saying:
"We were always told as children when in the Kampung not to go near the forest at night due to the Monkey Man. Of course we never saw it ourselves but it was always some uncle or friend of the family who had seen it. Once we were shown these footprints near the forest road, and I remember the strong urine smell. Whenever we heard shrieks coming from the jungle we would tell each other- don't disturb the Monkey Man."
The Chinese-language paper Shin Min Daily News
Shin Min Daily News
Shin Min Daily News is a Singapore Chinese-language afternoon newspaper currently published by Singapore Press Holdings...
also reported on the BTM in 2008, stating that the Monkey Man would appear after dark in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is a small 1.64 square kilometer nature reserve near the geographic centre of the city-state of Singapore, located on the slopes of Bukit Timah Hill, Singapore's highest hill standing at a height of 163.63 metres, and parts of the surrounding area...
. The paper described the creature as having the face of a monkey but walking upright like a man; it dispatched a journalist to comb for evidence, but the expedition proved futile. The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve official take provided at that point in time was that people were mistaking the common long-tailed (aka crab-eating) macaque monkeys for the Monkey Man.
Similarities with local monkeys
Monkeys are often seen roaming about and encountered by visitors in the Bukit Timah Nature ReserveBukit Timah Nature Reserve
The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is a small 1.64 square kilometer nature reserve near the geographic centre of the city-state of Singapore, located on the slopes of Bukit Timah Hill, Singapore's highest hill standing at a height of 163.63 metres, and parts of the surrounding area...
, and the Crab-eating Macaque
Crab-eating Macaque
The Crab-eating macaque is a cercopithecine primate native to Southeast Asia. It is also called the "long-tailed macaque", and is referred to as the "cynomolgus monkey" in laboratories.-Etymology:...
monkeys in particular bear similarities to the descriptions of the Monkey Man. Both species are bipedal hominids with greyish appearances. The clearest distinction between the two would be in size; the Crab-eating Macaques are typically 38-55 centimetres in body length, while the BTM's height is said to be between one to two metres. Height perception, however, may also be influenced by factors such as darkness and angular perception.
Human-macaque interaction in general is not without conflict; the situation is aggravated in Singapore, where humans often provide food, eventually leading to aggression in macaque monkeys when they fail to obtain food in subsequent encounters. Additionally, in Singapore, frequent contact tends to make the monkeys fearless towards humans, and they sometimes chose to gather food directly from their human counterparts instead of foraging in the forest. There have been incidents where macaque monkeys raided houses to gather food, occasionally leading to standoffs with residents.
Besides local monkeys already existing in the region, the Monkey Man has been connected to other cryptids. The most similar link would be the Orang Pendek
Orang Pendek
Orang Pendek is the most common name given to a cryptid, or cryptozoological animal, that reportedly inhabits remote, mountainous forests on the island of Sumatra....
, a similarly described cryptid that resides in the Indonesian island of Sumatra
Sumatra
Sumatra is an island in western Indonesia, westernmost of the Sunda Islands. It is the largest island entirely in Indonesia , and the sixth largest island in the world at 473,481 km2 with a population of 50,365,538...
; some cryptozoologists have even placed the BTM as part of the Orang Pendek species. The creature is also frequently likened to the reported Monkey-man of New Delhi
Monkey-man of New Delhi
The Monkey Man of New Delhi is a monster which was reported roaming Delhi in 2001.-Overview:In May 2001, reports began to circulate in the Indian capital New Delhi of a strange monkey-like creature that was appearing at night and attacking people...
, in India. In the latter case, many have believed mass hysteria as the sole cause of the perpetuation. The two cryptids have themselves been linked to the Spring Heeled Jack
Spring Heeled Jack
Spring-heeled Jack is a character in English folklore of the Victorian era who was known for his startling jumps. The first claimed sighting of Spring-heeled Jack was in 1837. Later sightings were reported all over England and were especially prevalent in suburban London, the Midlands and...
, an extra-ordinary leaper that frightened civilians in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in the 19th and 20th century, in a feature by Terry Deary
Terry Deary
Terry Deary is a children's author now living in Burnhope, County Durham, England.A former actor, theatre-director and drama teacher, Deary says he began writing when he was 29...
in his book True Monster Stories
True Monster Stories
True Monster Stories, written by Terry Deary, was the first of the non-fiction True Stories Series of books. It was published in 1992 by Hippo Books from Scholastic.-Overview:...
(1992).
Further reading
- Shuker, KarlKarl ShukerKarl P. N. Shuker is a British zoologist, cryptozoologist, and author living in the West Midlands, England. He works as a full-time freelance zoological consultant, media consultant, and noted author specializing in cryptozoology.- Career :...
(2007). Extraordinary Animals Revisited. Bideford: CFZ Press.