STOP! Don't Report Captive Monkeys to Wildlife Dept!

I interviewed several officials of the Dept of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP, aka Perhilitan) in the course of researching an article on captive monkeys recently. What they told me made cringe.

The Director of the DWNP's Law & Enforcement Division, Misliah Mohamed Basir, told me: "If someone doesn't have a license, we will confiscate the monkey and send it to our Rescue Centre at Zoo Melaka."

The veterinarian at Zoo Melaka, Dr. Choon Siew Shean (aka Dr. Sandie), told me: "When they send us a monkey, we euthanize it."

This confirmed the rumors I had been hearing. She was referring to long-tailed macaques. She said that the Zoo did manage to integrate two confiscated pig-tailed macaques into their resident population in the past year. There is no government rescue, rehab or re-release programme, or sanctuary, for long-tailed macaques in Malaysia.

Here's why:

• They are common and regarded as pests.
• The DWNP/Zoo has no resources to devote to them.
• It is nearly impossible to release a formerly captive monkey into the wild. Existing monkey troops will attack it.

Under the circumstances, I would only report a captive monkey to the DWNP if it were being abused to the point that euthanazation might be preferable.

Please DO continue to report captive monkeys to the SPCA at 03-4256-5312, so that Sabrina can monitor their living conditions.

What else can we do? Write/e-mail the DWNP to urge them to stop issuing new licenses for people to keep monkeys as pets or in captivity. Pn. Misliah told me she is in favour of such a ban but that it will take public support to change the law.

Here is the contact information: Pn. Misliah Mohamed Basir, Law & Enforcement Division, Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Km 10, Jalan Cheras, 56100 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03-9075-2872

E-mail:pakp@wildlife.gov.my

Website:http://www.wildlife.gov.my

I will try to post a petition as soon as possible, asking the government to prohibit the keeping of captive monkeys as pets. My idea is that monkeys already in captivity should be left as they are, with increased monitoring of their welfare, but that no new licenses should be issued.

This debonair long-tailed macaque has been a pet since infancy. He struck this pose for me with seeming deliberation. His human 'parents' love him and do their best for him. He gets to bathe as often as he likes, he is properly fed, and he is extremely attached to his 'mother,' who frequently holds and grooms him. Of course, he still suffers all the deprivations and discomforts of being a prisoner: He has no monkey companions, he has no hope of mating, and he has very little freedom of movement; he is probably bored, frustrated and lonely some of the time, and he is definitely exposed to exhaust fumes, occasional teasing by passers-by and, sometimes, physical punishment for 'misbehaving'. However, he can never be returned to the wild and he definitely should NOT be confiscated and euthanized. Given the circumstances, I think this is one of the captive monkeys who should stay where he is.

Categories: Animal Welfare