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A Bukit Merah HDB block got an unexpected <\/strong>“visitor” <\/strong>after a monitor lizard was seen scaling its exterior wall in a viral video on Friday (April 10).<\/p>\n The post was likened to the Taipei 101 climb by a commenter, who wrote: “Monitor lizard spotted! Probably doing the Taipei 101 climb.”<\/p>\n Taipei 101 is a skyscraper located in the heart of Taiwan and was the world’s tallest building from 2004 to 2010.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The animal is seen reaching the height of the HDB block number.<\/p>\n In the comments section, several netizens raised concerns about the incident, while others were surprised by the sight.<\/p>\n “I have seen monitor lizards climbing trees but not buildings,” said one user.<\/p>\n Another commented: “Not safe to sleep with the windows open.”<\/p>\n The video has since garnered over 159,000 views and 2,400 reactions as at Monday.<\/p>\n Responding to queries from AsiaOne, NParks’ group director for wildlife management How Choon Beng said the agency was alerted to a sighting of a Malayan water monitor at an HDB block along Indus Road in Bukit Merah on Friday, adding that it was safely removed from the site by contractors and released into a forested area.<\/p>\n “Monitor lizards play an important role in our ecology as they feed on a wide variety of food types, including insects, crabs, snakes, and fish,” said How, adding that such animals can be found in parks, forests, mangrove swamps, and even man-made canals.<\/p>\n “They also play an important role as scavengers in biomass breakdown and nutrient recycling.”<\/p>\n Members of the public are advised to keep a distance if they encounter monitor lizards, especially if they are in their natural habitat.<\/p>\n “These animals are shy and will usually try to avoid humans. They are also generally not aggressive and will not attack unless they are disturbed or provoked,” said NParks.<\/p>\n Pet dogs should also be kept on a tight leash as they may chase the monitor lizard and cause it distress, it said.<\/p>\n [[nid:726353]]<\/p>\n xingying.koh@asiaone.com<\/p>\n<\/div>\n