Implementing punishments for undesirable behaviour can reduce the frequency of that behaviour due to the negative costs associated with performing the behaviour (Clayton & Meyers, 2009). Enforcing fines can also raise money to offset the costs of conserving and managing parks and wildlife.
National Parks Board (NParks) has banned the feeding of monkeys in nature reserves under the Parks and Trees Regulations.
- Fine increased from $200 to $250 in May 2007 and finally to $500 in February 2008 (Lee & Chan, 2011)
- CCTVs are installed at hotspots to monitor feeding activity (Sha et al., 2009b)
However, it is noted that punishment in terms of fines may encourage people to identify ways to continue with the behaviour and avoid detection at the same time (Clayton & Meyers, 2009). Hence, feeding behaviour still occurs, notably at Mandai Road where macaques are being fed because it is not within the nature reserves.