NEPC: What is the first primate you ever saw in the wild?

Ang: The first primate I saw in the wild was a long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) in Singapore, probably when I was 12 years old.

NEPC: As a research scientist for WRSCF, describe your typical day. What is the most challenging aspect? The most rewarding aspect?

Ang: Field observations and gathering genetic material through fecal samples define a typical day! I am in the field by 7:30 a.m. in search of the langurs. I follow them and collect field observational data, such as diet information and behaviors. After a  lunch break around 11:00 a.m., I continue in the field from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., collecting fecal samples opportunistically.

The most challenging aspect of my day is when I don’t see the langurs; the most rewarding aspect of my day is seeing the langurs—better yet, seeing them and collecting their poop!

NEPC: What is it about the banded langur that has left you so smitten? Is this primate, in fact, your favorite (if you had to choose a favorite nonhuman primate)?

Ang: The Raffles’ banded langur is only found in Singapore and southern parts of Peninsular Malaysia. It is a national natural heritage of both countries, making this primate really special for me. The langur is the first wild species I studied (if I exclude the white-handed gibbon in the wild in Thailand, which I looked at briefly for my B.Sc. project). Raffles’ banded langurs’ expressions, contemplative eyes, and charisma; the way they swiftly yet graciously leap from tree to tree effortlessly; their shyness and curiosity toward people—all these qualities left me attracted.

As for my favorite primate, I am unable to choose between the vervet monkey (my pet monkey species) and the Raffles’ banded langur; I will always have a soft spot for the vervet monkey, while my passion in primate research remains with Asian colobine primates, particularly the Raffles’ banded langur.

NEPC: How do you raise awareness for this (and any endangered) species? How do you convey a sense of urgency?

Ang: Quoting Dr. Jane Goodall: “Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. And only if we help, shall all be saved.”

I believe the first and most important step in conveying the message of nature conservation is to let people understand more about nature and wildlife. For example, for Raffles’ banded langurs, not many people in Singapore and Malaysia know about their existence, let alone the threats that these langurs face and why we should conserve them. Local communities may care more about wildlife that is not found in their own countries, rather than their native and national natural heritage. For example, many Singaporeans may feel sympathy toward orangutans in Indonesia who face threats from deforestation and may want to help, but these same people do not care about the Raffles’ banded langur, which is a critically endangered species only found in Singapore and Malaysia, because people do not even know what it is. Hence, raising awareness is crucial.

NEPC: As a member of the IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group (Asia), how do you interact with the IUCN?

Ang: I advise on Red-list assessments of Asian primates, and I offer recommendations on human-wildlife interactions.

NEPC: Describe the purpose of Primate Watching Online Resource.

Ang: It is a free web resource that acts like a Trip Advisor, but the focus is on primates: where to see each and every species of wild primates in the world. Much like how I described above about raising awareness of species and the importance of nature conservation, I founded Primate Watching to share information so that more people can learn more easily about primates.

NEPC: What initiatives are you working on for the Jane Goodall Institute of Singapore (JGIS)?

Ang: In collaboration with the Long-tailed Macaque Working Group based in Singapore, JGIS launched a three-year “No Feeding Campaign” aimed to minimize human-macaque conflicts in Singapore:

No feeding campaign launched to warn public against feeding monkeys, Channel News Asia, Singapore, November 2019.

Campaign launched to stop people from feeding long-tailed macaques, The Straits Times, Singapore, November 2019.

NEPC: What do you appreciate most about your current job and roles?

Ang: I sincerely appreciate the enormous support that people give me. Without them (family, friends, collaborators, partners, sponsors, etc.), all the work would not have happened. I also appreciate that I am doing exactly what I love to do (bonus if I can find and see the primates!), and working with like-minded people.

NEPC: When you think about your career to date, can you think of a time that you might consider your proudest moment or proudest accomplishment?

Ang: My proudest moment was when my parents felt proud and happy seeing my work being featured for the first time in the newspapers (2010).

NEPC: With more than a half-billion animals reported to have been killed in Australia’s 2019–2020 wildfires, do you have a message you would like to get out about the dire consequences of climate change?

Ang: It is not climate change that endangers the planet, it is the climate crisis that we need to address—immediately. According to the United Nations, approximately 83 million human beings are added to the world’s population each year. Along with better health care and nutrition, our life expectancy has also increased. Human overpopulation is, in fact, the environmental concern. Exponential human population growth exerts pressure on our planet’s limited natural resources such as water, food, and fuel, resulting in the loss of biodiversity through the need to clear forests to make space for homes, and also contributing to a higher carbon footprint.

NEPC: How or why is humor important in your work? (You exhibit a fine sense of humor in your TED talk!)

Ang: It can get depressing to see how bad the state of our natural world is when we witness the unsustainable exploitation of the environment and the atrocious acts done to wildlife. It can become difficult to keep doing what we do. Maintaining positivity, hope, and a wacky sense of humor is important!

NEPC: Any lessons or revelations you’ve learned about yourself through your primate research? Or, in other words, what have your nonhuman primate subjects taught you about yourself?

Ang: I don’t have many good traits, but two things I learned about myself through my work are that I am rather patient and hardworking! (NEPC interjects: We believe Dr. Ang has many good traits!)

NEPC: Any advice to younger people embarking on a career who may be considering a vocation as a primatologist or wildlife researcher?

Ang: Recognize what your passion is and know what it really means to follow your passion. Because, along the way, you will definitely meet obstacles. Persevere, and don’t feel disheartened. Overall, don’t give up no matter how hard it is, because one day you might regret that you gave up your hopes and dreams.

NEPC: Other passions or interests you might like to share with readers?

Ang: I love playing tennis and mahjong and have a strong interest in naps. (NEPC interjects: Coincidentally, Raffles’ banded langurs also enjoy naps!)