BEAUFORT: Kampung Lumadan residents are outraged over the continuous invasion by monkeys on their fruit orchards and claimed the primates even know how to avoid food laced with poison.
The residents said they initially tried poisoning the food to deter the wild monkeys, with some appearing dizzy after consumption but not dying.
“The monkeys no longer eat poisoned food. They can distinguish between what is poisoned and what is not,” they said, urging the Wildlife Department to take immediate action in catching the monkeys.
Resorting to poison might not be the best solution. Recently in Kulim, Kedah, two siblings, aged three and two, died after consuming keropok (snacks) believed to be laced with rat poison to ward off wild monkeys.
A Kg Lumadan resident, Hassan Sahak, said that if the monkeys are not monitored, they will consume and ruin the fruits.
“This is durian season and we have to be constantly vigilant to drive the monkeys away from eating and damaging the young durian fruits. If left unchecked, they will destroy them.
“Other fruits like mangosteen, langsat and others have also been destroyed by these monkeys,” he added.
“I have observed the behaviour of these monkeys and tried to scare them away by banging on empty tins, but they are not afraid and even act aggressively,” he said.
“Sometimes, if not monitored, the monkeys will enter the house through the kitchen door and steal food like instant noodles, eggs and other items. The residents are also concerned about the safety of babies and children.
“Although such an incident has never occurred, we must be cautious and prevent a tragedy because these monkeys are aggressive and not afraid of humans,” said Hassan.
He claimed that he once bought poison to kill these monkeys but felt guilty if they died, ultimately cancelled his intention to poison them as it would surely be illegal under the Wildlife Act.
The residents hoped the Wildlife Department would promptly install traps, capture the monkeys, and relocate them to a location far from the residential area.
Another resident in Kg Jabang, Mohammad Tassim, 76, said that many monkeys had consumed his agricultural produce.
“They have eaten all the corn and fruits, and when we try to chase them away, they act aggressively and try to fight back,” he said.
Besides disturbing the fruits and agricultural crops, the monkeys often invade houses and steal food from the kitchen.
Recalling the past, Mohammad said he once used a shotgun to scare the monkeys, which made them scatter.
Mohammad also said that if there were bullets stored in the house, the monkeys would somehow sense it and avoid approaching his house.
