Raffles' Banded Langur (Thomson Nature Park)

 It was my first time visiting the Thomson Nature Park and the main reason was try to catch sight of the Raffles' Banded Langur (formerly known as the Banded Leaf Monkey) and reported sighting of the Red Crowned Barbet at the same park.. The keyword was hopeful, as nature is sometimes fickle and sometimes you may or may not catch sight of them. So the long story short, i was very fortunate to see a pair of Raffles' Banded Langur (along the Langur trail - aptly name the trail i must say) and as for the Red Crowned Barbet, spotting it was much more difficult. There was a fruiting fig tree with a lot of birds (mostly starlings) feeding on ripen figs but catching sight of the Red Crowned Barbet proved a bit more difficult until i heard a distinct barbet call. More about that in my next blog post, let's get back to the Raffles' Banded Languar who were busy feeding that it wasn't bothered by the attention of people passing by. I had the opportunity to observe them feeding and take videos of them too. It looks like they have gotten use to the presence of humans or i have been very discrete and quiet. While they were feeding, a group of long-tailed macaques came close by put maintained a respectful distance. The Raffles' Banded Langur continued feeding by off and on observed the other monkeys. 

Raffles' Banded Langur  (Banded Leaf Monkey)
A pair of Raffles' Banded Langur

Raffles' Banded Langur  (Banded Leaf Monkey)
Raffles' Banded Langur  (Banded Leaf Monkey) facial close-up

Raffles' Banded Langur  (Banded Leaf Monkey)
Raffles' Banded Langur  (Banded Leaf Monkey) close-up

Raffles' Banded Langur  (Banded Leaf Monkey)
Raffles' Banded Langur finally spotting me  

Videos of the Raffles' Banded Langur




Getting there
Thomson Nature Park is not a very big park and i believe is very suitable for families with children. I stay in the Eastern Part of Singapore and i got there via MRT to Marymount Station and walk towards Upper Thomson Road and take a bus from Opposite Shunfu Estate (stop ID: 53021). I waited for Bus No 167, 980 and got down at Bus After Tagore Drive (Stop 56061). A 20 meter walk up and you have arrived. Thomson Nature Park used to be a old Hainese Village. You can still remains of that Settlement when you walk through the park. 



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