Real root of monkey problem

Real root of monkey problem

Animal Concerns Research and Education Society campaign executive See Han Sern is mistaken that I suggested culling monkeys because they are aggressive ("Culling doesn't tackle root of monkey problem"; last Friday).

I suggested culling because monkeys have invaded our living space and deprived us of the comforts of home.

Mr See also said monkey problems arise because food is readily available in human areas.

Food will always be readily available in human communities, so how does he expect us to keep food out of sight and reach of monkeys?

The real root of the problem is that monkeys do not have predators in their natural habitat to keep their numbers down.

As their population surges, they are forced to forage for food in human communities. The situation is aggravated by animal lovers giving food to them.

It is unrealistic to suggest that humans try to coexist with wild monkeys in our living space.

Without culling, the wild monkey population will surge such that we see monkeys all over the place.

As they can be aggressive, how are we to go about our lives in peace without the risk of being attacked?

Contrary to what Mr See would like us to believe, the culling of wild animals whose populations have grown to menacing proportions is an accepted practice in Australia, Europe, the United States and many other countries.

Culling does not mean killing the entire monkey population; it simply means keeping their numbers down to an acceptable level, so they will have enough food in their natural habitat and not have to invade our living space for it.

It will be more cruel to allow their numbers to multiply without control.

I support not culling wild monkeys if Mr See can produce a foolproof way to keep them in their natural habitat. So far, his proposals do not fulfil this condition.

Han Cheng Fong


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