SINGAPORE, Oct 5 — A viral video from Singapore has reminded us all of an age-old principle: monkeys are better at stealing food than humans are at defending it.

TikTok user arandompaul captured the moment on September 28. 

A long-tailed macaque clambers off with a child’s snack. The child watches. The father swings a blue bag at the primate. The macaque gets away. The child does not.

Bystanders can be heard chiding the man: “You can't do that!” 

Social media echoed the sentiment, with some criticising both the bag-wielding father and the decision to let a child snack while strolling. 

A few sided with the man, arguing he was merely defending his offspring.

The Singapore Zoo, part of the Mandai Wildlife Group, reminded visitors that food should stay in well-packed bags, monkeys deserve their space, and monkey-proof bins exist for a reason.

Their spokesman added: “Native wildlife have enough to eat in the wild. No need to tempt them.”

Lesson of the day: keep snacks to yourself, respect wildlife, and maybe — just maybe — don’t let your parenting instincts turn into a slapstick routine.