GEORGE TOWN, August 19 – The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) expresses deep concern and disappointment over the culling of macaques in Batu Caves, Gombak, Selangor, in June 2023. The shooting of 20 monkeys, some of them in cages, at point-blank range by the Wildlife Protection and National Parks department (Perhilitan) has sparked outrage among Sunway Mas apartment residents, who lodged a police report against Perhilitan. While Perhilitan cited property damage complaints as the reason for culling, CAP emphasizes that shooting macaques is not a viable and humane solution.
Such culling methods may cause prolonged suffering for injured animals, and the problem persists as monkeys quickly repopulate the area. Experts in wildlife management concur that culling is not the ultimate answer to issues with monkeys. The problem of human-macaque conflict exists as long as humans encroach upon macaque habitats. Monkeys are attracted to human properties due to the loss of their original habitat and food sources. The main cause of human-wildlife conflicts caused by long-tailed macaques is food motivation.
Instead of resorting to culling, CAP urges a combination of approaches to reduce human-macaque conflict. This includes stringent enforcement of food and refuse management to prevent monkeys’ access to human settlements and efforts to coexist with wildlife by strengthening and expanding suitable protected habitats. Moreover, avoiding deforestation and planting new trees in forest areas are essential measures to reduce conflict rates in the long run. Government authorities, policymakers, researchers, wildlife managers, local and indigenous communities must work together to develop, promote, and implement effective strategies in the management of overabundant species instead of eliminating them.
CAP President, Mohideen Abdul Kader, emphasizes that doing nothing is not a feasible course of action. To ensure peaceful coexistence, comprehensive and sustainable solutions are needed for managing human-macaque conflicts. It is imperative to protect wildlife habitats and promote responsible urban planning to minimize intrusion into wildlife territories. Ultimately, a collective effort is required to address the root causes of conflict and foster harmony between humans and macaques. By adopting viable and humane solutions, we can create a balance that benefits both wildlife and human communities.
