Don't feed monkeys, it's better than culling them

AVA reply on the Straits Times Forum 7 Nov 08;

I REFER to the letter by Madam Tan Gek Kim, 'Brazen monkeys : The AVA should start culling the population' (Oct 23).

Monkeys are usually drawn from their natural forest habitat when food is made available to them by people.

These monkeys eventually become dependent on people for food. They will not rely on their natural instinct to forage for food in the forest, but will venture out into public areas to search for food.

Residents living near wooded areas should avoid feeding monkeys and minimise the availability of food by keeping their dustbins covered. Residents can also deter monkeys from frequenting their premises, for example by shooing them away with water from a garden hose.

Generally, management bodies of properties are required to deal with monkeys on their properties. Residents can also seek the assistance of pest control companies if they are troubled by monkeys or other wild animals.

Alternatively, residents can contact Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority's Centre for Animal Welfare and Control on 1800-476-1600 to borrow traps. AVA loans these traps and collects the monkeys trapped by management bodies or residents as a free service to the public.

Culling is a last resort if the monkeys become aggressive and pose a danger to the public. It will not be needed if people act responsibly and refrain from feeding monkeys.

We thank Madam Tan for her feedback.

Goh Shih Yong
Assistant Director, Corporate Communications
for Chief Executive Officer
Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority