In Singapore, clashes between humans and wildlife have been on the rise; and often, it is macaques that are in the spotlight. Park-goer Sufen is among the many in Singapore who have been startled in encounters with these intelligent creatures, who are often drawn to the yummy snacks they have come to associate with humans. Enter ACRES, a non-profit that has been working behind the scenes to help fix the macaque’s bad reputation in hopes of helping Singaporeans understand their behaviours as well as their crucial role in creating balance in our ecosystem. Dedicated to nurturing a compassionate society towards wildlife, ACRES believes that all it takes is empowering individuals with the knowledge of what to do when one encounters wildlife, and understanding how wildlife is essential to our survival. This subtle mindset change can help Singapore achieve its ‘city in nature’ vision, where people and macaques can coexist and thrive alongside each other.
