Straits Times Forum
Online Story
Nov 4, 2010
Feeding by public making monkeys aggressive
THE aggressive behaviour of monkeys (Ms Eunice Ong, 'Monkey menace at MacRitchie bus stop'; last Saturday) is the outcome of feeding by irresponsible members of the public.
Feeding monkeys alters their natural behaviour and lures them out of the forest in search of handouts. These monkeys pose a nuisance to the public - even to those who do not feed them.
Such monkeys do not only go after food that is handed to them or left in plain sight, but they also grab at plastic bags or any other food containers that the monkeys have been conditioned to recognise. When such monkeys become a nuisance to the public, we have no choice but to trap and send them to be euthanised.
Left on their own, monkeys will forage for food in the forest. Unfortunately. feeding of monkeys persists despite strict regulations and enforcement prohibiting feeding in parks and nature reserves. If the situation does not improve, we may consider increasing the fines further as a deterrence.
We advise park visitors to keep food and snacks in backpacks and not in plastic bags. Should anyone encounter monkeys, do not feed them or eat in their presence. Avoid eye contact with the monkeys and walk away. Let the monkeys return to their natural habitat to forage.
James Gan
Assistant Director, Central Nature Reserve
National Parks Board
