UKM students share viral videos of monkeys stealing clothes from hostel drying areas. Four boxers gone!
STUDENTS at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) are facing an unusual challenge as groups of monkeys have been spotted raiding residential college drying areas and making off with students’ clothing.
The incident gained widespread attention on social media after a TikTok user shared footage of the mischievous primates in action, sparking both amusement and concern among the online community.
A video posted by TikTok account @akiu_u captured a troop of monkeys brazenly wandering through the male residential college’s outdoor laundry area, with some climbing along clotheslines where students hang their washing.
“How peaceful God’s creation is, UKM zoo college monkeys. I’m done hanging clothes here. Four of my boxers have already been taken into the forest,” the student wrote in the video caption, expressing both frustration and resignation at the situation.
The footage shows multiple monkeys navigating the drying area with apparent familiarity, suggesting this is not an isolated incident but rather an ongoing problem for students living in the affected dormitories.
The viral video triggered a flood of responses from current and former UKM students who shared their own experiences dealing with the campus monkey population.
One user, @a.afaaa, recounted a particularly frightening encounter: “Three years staying at UKM, in my final year I got chased until I was injured. Since then, I’ve been genuinely traumatized by these monkeys.”
Another commenter, Kuzueri, warned others about the futility of using the outdoor drying areas: “If you hang clothes there, you definitely won’t get them back.”
User Mija suggested an alternative approach: “If it’s like this, better just dry clothes inside the room. Worried you hang 10 pieces, only three pieces left.”
Beyond the humorous responses, some netizens raised serious concerns about student safety and called for official action.
Rahmah Talib urged affected students to take formal steps: “Please make a report to Perhilitan (Department of Wildlife and National Parks) and provide this video. If anyone has been chased before, please report it as well.”
The suggestion highlights growing concerns that what might seem like a comical nuisance could potentially pose safety risks, particularly given that one student reported being injured during a monkey chase.
UKM’s campus is known for its lush, green environment, which naturally attracts various wildlife including monkey troops. While the presence of wildlife can enhance the campus atmosphere, interactions between humans and wild animals can become problematic when animals become habituated to human presence and begin exhibiting bold behavior.
The theft of clothing items and food, along with reports of monkeys chasing students, suggests these primates may have lost their natural wariness of humans – a common issue in areas where wild animals have regular contact with people.
The monkey situation has forced students to adapt their daily routines, with many now choosing to dry clothes inside their rooms despite the inconvenience and potential humidity issues. This represents a quality-of-life concern for students who are already managing academic pressures and campus living challenges.
The loss of personal items, while sometimes treated humorously online, also represents a financial burden for students who must replace stolen clothing and undergarments.
