Home owners can call AVA to lend them traps and take the animals away
Melissa Pang Straits Times 27 Jun 10;
When a monkey first entered the family's second-floor HDB flat in Bukit Panjang in January, they contacted the Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council.
They were told to call the National Parks Board (NParks) which referred them back to the town council. Staff at the latter agency then said they would see what they could do about it.
'By this point, we were upset and told them it's like they were passing the buck. Who can help?' asked the home owner who wanted to be known only as Mrs Singh.
The 29-year-old primary school teacher eventually called the police, who asked her to call them the next time a monkey entered her house.
Which is the right agency to call then? The Sunday Times made checks and found out that the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) can help.
It said it works with town councils if a monkey causes disturbances in HDB estates. 'For landed properties and condos, we liaise with the owners,' said a spokesman.
The issue comes under NParks' purview only if the monkeys create a nuisance in nature reserves and public parks.
AVA helps residents and organisations by lending them traps and taking away the animal. The service is free.
The trap, a metal cage, has a hook in the middle. When a monkey takes food from the hook, a spring releases the cage's door, trapping it.
Last year, the AVA loaned out 223 traps, netting 127 monkeys.
The monkeys are put down as relocating them could pose a similar menace to other residents.
'It is also not possible to relocate them at a forested area as there would be fights with the resident troop of monkeys, and monkeys could get severely injured and killed,' said the AVA spokesman.
Monkeys first began plaguing Bukit Panjang residents about six months ago. They are believed to be from Bukit Panjang Park, across the road from Block 530, where the nuisance is most prevalent.
The monkeys can enter flats in the block, using a sheltered walkway beside some trees.
Dr Teo Ho Pin, North West District Mayor and chairman of the Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council, said the town council is aware of the problem.
'We've engaged a specialist contractor to remove a number of the monkeys.'
Residents said there used to be an adult monkey with a few babies in tow. The younger ones have since been caught, leaving its mother to continue its shenanigans.
Two weeks ago, Dr P.J. John's flat on the 5th floor was invaded by this monkey.
'I feel quite sorry for the monkeys, but once they start entering homes, that's when action has to be taken. The immediate concern would be for the elderly and children,' said Dr John, 50, president of Family Life Centre, a voluntary organisation.
Indeed, for Mrs Singh, it is her two daughters, aged two and five, about whom she is most worried.
'I'm not at home most of the time because of work. Once, the monkey entered the flat when my daughter and maid were at home. What would have happened if my maid had gone to the bathroom and it attacked my baby?'
During the monkey's six-month reign of terror at the Singhs' household, it took towels, clothes and toys from the balcony. It sat on the family's dining table and took shelter on the balcony on rainy days.
'The police advised us to keep the balcony doors closed. But you need to trap the monkey, not trap us in our home,' Mrs Singh said.
Dr Teo said catching monkeys is a challenge as they are smart. 'We seek the cooperation of our residents to refrain from feeding the monkeys and report any sightings of monkeys or any other animals causing nuisance.
'The town council will work with our residents, relevant government agencies, animal welfare societies and contractors to solve the problem.'
Don't feed the monkeys
Straits Times 27 Jun 10;
Hold that toothy grin the next time you see a monkey. Baring the teeth and looking into their eyes are both signs of aggression and challenge, said the National Parks Board (NParks).
When approached by monkeys, look down and walk away. Never chase them.
Don't eat in front of them and keep food preferably in backpacks instead of plastic bags. Plastic bags should be kept close to the chest.
Most important of all, monkeys should not be fed. 'Monkeys have sufficient food in the forest. Feeding them alters their natural behaviour, and makes them too familiar with humans. When subsequently denied food, human-monkey conflict inevitably ensues,' said NParks' assistant director (Central Reserve), Ms Sharon Chan.
The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) said people unwittingly draw the monkeys out of their habitats by giving them food. As a result, the animals frequent their estate.
To prevent monkeys from entering residential compounds, cover and secure refuse bins. Fences with barbed wire should also be put up. Noise, or using a hose to spray water, are some ways to scare monkeys away.
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