Diana Rahim Today Online 13 Nov 13;
The root of the macaque problem in the Central Catchment and Bukit Timah nature reserves is human action. (“Behaviour modification proposed as solution to macaque problem”; Oct 9)
People who consciously break the law and feed the monkeys have caused the monkeys to alter their natural foraging habits and become aggressive.
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority stated that the killing of macaques is a “last resort”, but people who have acted in those ways should be held accountable in this issue.
Such killings can be executed easily, without guilt, because the assumption is that human beings have the moral authority to control the animal population for our own comfort.
If, instead, we hold these monkeys in direct and equal consideration, the implications of culling them would be serious. However, they are not seen as such.
This is an age-old tactic even among humans: If one convinces oneself that a group is not as civilised, then one can justify any atrocity against them.
Whether Singaporeans believe these monkeys to be moral beneficiaries, moral agents or simply unworthy of moral consideration, one must concede that humans have to assume at least partial responsibility for a problem that is causing the monkeys unjust suffering.
I am thus grateful that the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society is doing its best to educate the public regarding this issue and trying to avoid the killing of the long-tailed macaques.
To consent to the killings is not only unethical, but also impractical and lazy, considering that human negligence has been a source of the problem.
