Indonesia: 50 monkeys rescued from street masked monkey show

Andi Firdaus Antara 26 May 18;

A long tailed monkey (Macaca fascicularis) perfoms an attraction in a masked monkey show in Depok, West Java. (ANTARA Photo/Indrianto Eko Suwa)

Bekasi, W Java, June 25 (ANTARA News) - The Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN) has rescued at least 50 monkeys from persons running the "topeng monyet," local term for masked monkey show, in several regions of Indonesia`s West Java Province.

"As of June 2018, we have rescued 50 monkeys through a joint program, called Stop Topeng Monyet, with the West Java Provincial Administration," Coordinator of Wildlife Trade Confiscations of JAAN Wildlife Division, Zai, said here on Monday.

The long-tailed macaques were rescued from several districts, such as Bandung, Cirebon, Tasikmalaya, Bogor, and Bekasi.

JAAN revealed that the long-tailed macaques are extremely popular in Indonesia as they are used as dancing monkeys. They are called Topeng Monyet in Indonesian language.

Having conducted observations during the Stop Topeng Monyet program, JAAN and the local administration of West Java have set a target to rescue 500 animals from street masked monkey shows in the region.

They revealed that Bekasi District has the most Topeng Monyet shows than the other regions in West Java.

"We found out that these monkeys were brought from Tasikmalaya. We have data showing that there are 500 families that train monkeys for Topeng Monyet shows there," Zai revealed.

The rescued monkeys will undergo rehabilitation and treatment for three years before being released to the Tilu Mountain of Soreang, Bandung, West Java.

They will be divided into four groups, each consisting of 15 monkeys.

JAAN`s program in rescuing long-tailed macaques from being exploited as performers in the Topeng Monyet show is in line with the instruction of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry to protect wild animals.

"Wild animals are better in the forest," Zai stated.

JAAN is a non-governmental and non-profit organization dedicated to improve the lives of Indonesia`s animals.

JAAN has for years been at the forefront of the campaign against illegal trade of endangered and rare animals, wildlife conservation, and animal adoption.

Editor: Andi Abdussalam


JAAN detects number of wounds on monkey`s body in Bekasi
Andi Firdaus Antara 26 Jan 18;

Bekasi (ANTARA News) - Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN) has detected around three wounds on the body of a long-tailed monkey, which roamed freely and disturbed local residents, in Pondok Mitra Lestari Housing, Bekasi City, West Java Province.

"One wound was caused by a wind rifle, and two other wounds were caused due to a sharp scratch," Coordinator of Wildlife Trade Confiscations JAAN Wildlife Division, Zai, stated here.

He noted that the monkey was evacuated from Pondok Mitra Lestari Housing, Jatiasih Sub-District, Bekasi City, on Monday afternoon.

According to him, there were gunshot wounds on the right shoulder of the monkey, while scratches were found on the right finger and thigh.

Zai suspected that the wound was caused by attacks from unscrupulous citizens, who were uncomfortable with the presence of the male monkey alpha type.

This monkey, which was owned by the local people since a few years, was estimated to be over the age of 10.

The monkey had injured two officers of the housing security unit in the past week. The officers were given four stitches after the monkey bit them, causing a two-centimeter-deep injury in their arm.

"Currently, there are two monkeys left that still roam freely in this housing. Therefore, we have set two automatic trapping units," he added.

The evacuation process of the wounded monkey was conducted, along with eight members of Bekasi City Fire Department, for an hour.

"Our strategy is to prepare a dosage of 0,5 mill and to take it veterinarian to check the wound, then we will take it to the rehabilitation center in Lembang, Bandung District," he remarked.

Zai also appealed to the local community to act persuasively against wild monkeys and to avoid provoking it.

"For emergency, please contact us on our hotline of 082210800810," he urged. *** 4 ***

Editor: Andi Abdussalam