Perhilitan taking easy way out
March 26, 2013
FMT LETTER: From Rotherdermus Dermus, via e-mail
I whole heartedly welcome and support the International Primate Protection League members call for a review of the macaque culling policy by our Wildlife and Natural Parks Department (Perhilitan).
We cannot go on slaughtering the primates in such large numbers in the name of safeguarding the public and checking their population growth. It is understandable if Perhilitan had to put down macaques that are considered highly dangerous perhaps due to a disease outbreak (such as rabies) in the colony.
However to cull thousands of macaques to manage the population growth does not reflect well on all those who were responsible in drafting and implementing this cruel and inhumane policy.
As pointed out by many in the past, humans have been encroaching into the natural habitats of these macaques. As such there is no running away from this human-macaque conflict. We cannot blatantly ignore this fact and go about shooting down these poor creatures just because of public complaints. It appears that Perhilitan is taking an easy way out and they are now branding these macaques as pests and justifying their “barbaric” policy.
Perhilitan should immediately stop this mindless and evil culling policy. It should instead engage a wildlife (primate) consultant or seek the help of the international wildlife committee on this matter so that we can put in place a more humane policy that respects the sanctity of all lives.
Perhilitan should also take into consideration the suggestions put forward by our local university researchers who presented their findings on this human-macaque conflict titled, ‘Human-Macaque Conflict and Pest Behaviours of Long-Tailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in Kuala Selangor Nature Park.’ (Tropical Natural History 12(2): 189_205, October 2012 by Chulalangkorn University).
Our researchers did not advocate culling as a means of handling these human macaque conflict in their study. I wonder who are the scientists Perhilitan was referring to that have recommended the slaughtering of macaques.
Perhilitan should immediately revoke the macaque culling policy as it is going against nature and reflects negatively on all nature loving citizens of the world. Please think of alternate methods such as sterilisation and relocation of these macaques. Focus on educating the public.
There is an urgent need to create awareness in society, especially those who are living closer to these primate habitats to keep their surroundings clean and not to feed these animals. The authorities should not allow housing developers or any other economic activities to encroach too close to wildlife habitats.
If there is a need for such development the macaques and other wildlife should be relocated first before commencing any development in that area. By the way Perhilitan please for God’s sake, stop referring to our primates as pests.
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