Forest rangers on an eight-day patrol in Pu Mat National Park in Nghe An Province were surprised when a red-faced macaque approached their group and remained nearby for almost an hour, an unusually bold interaction for a wild primate.
Vi Duc Anh beside the red-shanked macaque during the Pu Mat forest patrol (Photo: Taken from clip).
Le Anh Tuan, director of Pu Mat National Park, said the patrol took place between July 21 and July 28. As rangers moved through a section of natural forest, they spotted a red-faced macaque. Instead of retreating, the animal watched the group before voluntarily moving closer.
Footage recorded by the rangers showed the macaque alternating between walking on the forest floor and climbing through the trees while following the patrol's route. Even when the group stopped to rest, the animal lingered near their backpacks and personal belongings.
Vi Duc Anh, one of the rangers on the patrol, said the macaque initially kept its distance before gradually becoming more confident.
"At first it followed us from some distance away. When we realised it showed no signs of aggression, we gently reached out our hands to make it feel at ease. It wasn't afraid. After watching us for a while, it came closer on its own and appeared remarkably friendly. This is the first time in many years of forest patrols that we've encountered a macaque so comfortable around people," he said.
The unusual interaction lasted between 30 and 45 minutes before the patrol resumed its journey and the macaque returned to the forest.
Park authorities said rangers regularly observe wildlife or discover signs of animal activity during patrols, but a wild red-faced macaque voluntarily approaching people is exceptionally rare.
The red-shanked macaque voluntarily approached forest rangers in Pu Mat forest (Photo: Taken from clip).
According to Le Anh Tuan, the park's rescue centre has received 186 primates since 2016, including 146 monkeys, 35 slow lorises and five gibbons. Of those, 138 have been released back into the wild, with 107 returned to Pu Mat National Park and 31 released at other suitable locations.
The park's primate populations are considered to be stable and well protected. Camera-trap surveys conducted between 2018 and 2025 have consistently recorded red-faced macaques, rhesus macaques and pig-tailed macaques. Images and videos have documented troops of dozens of red-faced macaques, including many juveniles, providing further evidence that the population is thriving.