Malaysia: Rapid Development Causing Habitat Conflicts With Wild Animals

Rozainah Abdul Rahim Bernama 9 Jul 16;

KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 (Bernama) -- Rapid urbanisation and development projects in the Klang Valley have encroached on the habitat of wildlife, leaving them no choice but to 'compete' for shelter with humans.

Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) deputy director-general II Fakhrul Hatta Musa said police often received complaints from the public about wild animals such as monkeys, squirrels, foxes, apes, snakes and wild boars disprupting their homes.

"Disturbances can occur anywhere, especially in residential areas.

"However, the highest number of complaints received by Perhilitan is of monkeys," he told Bernama.

Fakhrul said that this year alone, as of May, a total of 519 complaints of monkey distrubances had been received in the Federal Territory and Selangor.

He said last year, the department received 1,297 complaints of monkey disturbances in the Klang Valley.

Since 2011, he said, Perhilitan had received 21,032 complaints regarding monkeys, which have had to be relocated or put to sleep.

"All the monkeys which are exterminated are then put into the incinerator at the Paya Indah Wetlands in Dengkil," he said.

-- BERNAMA