TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taichung’s Wuling Farm on Tuesday issued a reminder urging visitors and the public not to feed wild animals, following the release of footage showing a Formosan macaque stealing a tea egg through an office window.
The video captures the macaque reaching through the window, skillfully peeling the tea egg’s shell, and after finishing, closing the window behind it. The farm noted that the monkey’s behavior demonstrates the species’ intelligence, comparable to that of a 3- to 4-year-old child, according to CNA and Taiwan Panorama.
Wuling Farm explained that such behavior is likely driven by survival instincts and the appeal of human food, which tends to be more aromatic and flavorful than the macaques’ natural diet. Despite the availability of fruits, leaves, and insects in the mountainous environment, processed foods often lure macaques into human spaces, according to TW Monkey and the National Park Service.
The farm has long promoted a patrol mechanism, employing daily deterrence, environmental management, and educational outreach. These combined efforts have significantly reduced macaque activity within the park in recent years, with fewer monkeys now seen in outdoor public areas.
A 2005 study by researcher Wang Ching-ping (王敬平) found that Formosan macaques spend nearly 28% of their day foraging, with seasonal changes prompting them to move toward areas where food is plentiful. When humans frequently provide food at certain locations, macaques may learn to associate those spots with easy meals and return regula
The farm emphasized that feeding macaques is a common misconception rooted in sympathy but is both unnecessary and harmful.
Since 2019, Formosan macaques have been classified as general wild animals in Taiwan. They thrive naturally on the diverse diet available in Taiwan’s forests and do not require human feeding.
While the macaque’s clever and “polite” behavior in the video has brought smiles, Wuling Farm reminded the public to maintain a safe distance from wildlife and avoid feeding them to ensure the safety of both animals and humans.
