On 26 June 2021, we received the news of nine long-tailed macaques dead or dying after they were poisoned near the Grand View Apartment, Paya Terubong, Penang.

This news is saddening and disturbing, where a human being with the ability to make rational thoughts decided to place poison in the food for the poor macaques to feed on.

As mentioned by the Malaysian Primatological Society, whoever thought that this is a solution to solve the “problem” of monkeys coming near the residential areas has acted without conscience, sheer ignorance, and the highest disrespect for life!

We have to emphasize again and again – PLEASE DO NOT FEED MONKEYS!

Many may think feeding wild animals like monkeys is a kind and noble act, where they can save the monkeys from starvation, but the truth is – feeding wild animals like monkeys only bring negative long-term consequences, such as:

1. Monkey health negatively affected

2. Monkeys lose foraging instinct

3. Human-monkey conflict (interaction)

4. Rubbish pollution

5. Monkey overpopulation

6. Risk of disease transmission

7. Baby monkeys made vulnerable to the illegal pet trade

In this case of the inhumane act of poisoning the long-tailed macaques, the negative human-monkey interaction escalated to a point where innocent lives were killed!

In addition, the poison residue around the area is a concern where this may affect the domestic animals, wildlife, people, and the environment.

As we are working hard with various stakeholders to push for no feeding monkeys policy and public campaigns, let us all acknowledge that:

1. The best way to help wild animals like the monkeys around our neighbourhood is to learn how to coexist with them.

2. The best way to coexist with wild animals is to leave them alone. In this case, the macaques can feed on various foods and with green spaces, orchards, or coastal areas. We don’t need to feed them.

3. If you would like to help the monkeys, start by educating the people around you on no feeding monkeys, and be the eyes, ears, and voice of the wildlife by safeguarding their natural habitat.

Together, we can make a difference!

To learn more about ways to coexist with our wildlife neighbours, please circulate these links for educational purpose:

1. Do not feed monkeys and wildlife

2. Spot any monkeys nearby your neighborhood? Don’t panic!

3. Do not interfere with wildlife in the wild

4. Human-wildlife interaction

MORE ABOUT ANIMAL POISONING AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES

Using chemicals as a mean to resolve conflicts – between human and wild animals – is not only in causing a lot of unnecessary pain and suffering; but it can have unintended consequences too. How? And what you should do to deter monkeys instead? Read the infographic below!

Feel free to print out and display the infographic below and help raise awareness to protect your pets, your neighbours’ pets, and our native wildlife.

High-resolution file for printing: https://bit.ly/3r4FSPl