"This is what has caused strong competition among dominant male monkeys in the area."Denpasar (ANTARA News) - ProFauna Bali expressed deep concern here on Friday over recent call from the Karangasem district head, Wayan Geredeg, for the killing of monkeys in the region.
Wayan Geredeg has suggested catching the animals and killing them by inserting thorny rattan leaves into their anus.
The environment non-governmental organization`s representative Jatmiko Wiwoho strongly protested the district head`s statement which he considered as careless, provocative and ignoring the noble value of harmony in the relations between man, the environment and God.
As has often happened in other regions, he said, cases of conflicts between men and wild animals were often caused by the depleting habitat of the animals resulting in the drop of food resources for the animals.
"This is what has caused strong competition among dominant male monkeys in the area," he said.
He said the district head must not have treated the animal as the enemy of human beings that must be eradicated and treated cruelly.
Like human beings, he said, wild animals are also part of God`s creation that also contribute to the continuation of the life of human beings.
He viewed eradicating wild animals by cruel method like what the Karangasem district head has suggested can be categorized as animal cruelty and will even increase the aggressiveness of the monkeys in the area.
He said district head Geredeg had better seek inputs from experts such as biologists, animal conservationists and even religious figures to find the best way to deal with the problem.
He said one way is by castrating the males with regard to controlling their population.
Of course, he added, a study must first be made to determine the right number that should be castrated.
He said although it takes hard work the method is naturally able to reduce individual competition among monkeys and the result will last long (years before new dominant males emerge again) while principles of animal welfare are respected.
The district head`s statement came following the death Nyoman Gunung (65) after being attacked by a monkey in Nongan village, Karangasem, on May 14.
The animal (Macaca Fascicularis) was later shot to death on May 19 after villagers and military and police personnel chased and found it.
After the animal`s blood sample being tested it was confirmed the animal did not carry a rabies virus.
(Uu.H-YH/KR-BSR/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
