Bukit Timah Monkey Man

Introduction

Singaporean cryptid The Bukit Timah Monkey Man, commonly abbreviated as BTM or BTMM, is a legendary creature said to inhabit Singapore, chiefly in the forested Bukit Timah region.Singaporean cryptid The Bukit Timah Monkey Man, commonly abbreviated as BTM or BTMM, is a legendary creature 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.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.Documentation of the BTM is sparse and scattered; the creature is largely considered a product of local folklore.

Alleged sightings of the animal are rare.Alleged sightings of the animal are rare.

Records mainly come from Malay folklore, accounts from Japanese soldiers in World War II, and occasional unconfirmed reports from local residents.Records mainly come 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 2020.The first claimed sighting is said to have occurred in about 1805; the most recent was in 2020.

The BTM is said to be hominid like, greyish in colour, and about in height, with a bipedal gait.The BTM is said to be hominid like, greyish in colour, and about in height, with a bipedal gait.

All sightings have been centred upon the Bukit Timah region.All sightings have been centred upon the Bukit Timah region.

Sightings

Sightings of the BTM are rare, almost entirely contained within the Bukit Timah region and its vicinity.Sightings of the BTM are rare, almost entirely contained within the Bukit Timah region and its vicinity.

The first report of the creature came in 1805, when a Malay elder claimed to have seen an upright walking, monkey faced creature in the Bukit Timah area.The first report of the creature came in 1805, when a Malay elder claimed to have seen an upright walking, monkey faced creature in the Bukit Timah area.

Japanese soldiers also reported sightings of the creature during World War II.Japanese soldiers also reported sightings of the creature during World War II.

In 2007, a series of sightings were reported in the Singapore tabloid, The New Paper, has since featured the cryptid on its papers, gathering accounts from a number of witnesses.In 2007, a series of sightings were reported in the Singapore tabloid, The New Paper, has since featured the cryptid on its papers, gathering accounts from a number of witnesses.

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 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 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.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.

In late 2020, the Bukit Timah monkey man was allegedly spotted by a night hiker, an event which was extensively covered in local media reports.In late 2020, the Bukit Timah monkey man was allegedly spotted by a night hiker, an event which was extensively covered in local media reports.

With local monkeys

Monkeys are often seen roaming about and encountered by visitors in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, and the crab eating macaque monkeys in particular bear similarities to the descriptions of the Monkey Man.Monkeys are often seen roaming about and encountered by visitors in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, and the crab eating macaque monkeys in particular bear similarities to the descriptions of the Monkey Man.

The clearest distinction between the two would be in size; the crab eating macaques are typically in body length, while the BTM's height is said to be between on average.The clearest distinction between the two would be in size; the crab eating macaques are typically in body length, while the BTM's height is said to be between on average.

Height perception, however, may also be influenced by factors such as darkness and angular perception.Height perception, however, may also be influenced by factors such as darkness and angular perception.