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Pre-emptive measures will prevent clashes with wildlife in the long run

I read with concern the report “Monkey menace at Segar Rd a risk to public safety: AVA” (April 19) on the removal of monkeys in the interest of public safety.

The letter writer says the authorities must make it clear that wildlife removal is a temporary solution, and that monkeys can be reconditioned and relocated to the nature reserves. TODAY file photo

The letter writer says the authorities must make it clear that wildlife removal is a temporary solution, and that monkeys can be reconditioned and relocated to the nature reserves. TODAY file photo

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Darren Chan Keng Leong

I read with concern the report “Monkey menace at Segar Rd a risk to public safety: AVA” (April 19) on the removal of monkeys in the interest of public safety.

The authorities must make clear that wildlife removal is a temporary solution and that monkeys can be reconditioned and relocated to the nature reserves. Culling should not be the first option, as it does more harm than good.

More must be done to address the situation in the long run, which will involve various stakeholders. Many measures can be taken to keep it from threatening public safety, and to allay residents’ fears.

For example, the public must be educated on wildlife etiquette, which includes not feeding animals such as monkeys. Residents should also keep a safe distance. Feeding and being friendly towards wildlife would alter their behaviours and thus lead to aggression.

With the inclusion of green spaces in residential estates, the efforts needed to allow wildlife to coexist range from placing signs to deter the public from feeding wildlife, to cameras to monitor the situation.

Errant feeding behaviours and the public’s reaction of chasing wildlife away are causes of human-wildlife conflict. This problem can be managed better.

Naturally, animals would react to hostile behaviour, which can be mitigated if there is less human-animal interaction.

The authorities should also deploy litter bins that are found in parks, instead of regular bins, to prevent monkeys from rummaging through them for food. Decreasing their food sources would move the monkeys away from the vicinity.

Since Segar Road is near a nature reserve, wildlife sightings are inevitable. The town council, authorities and wildlife groups could work together, however, by putting wildlife-friendly spikes on walls and planting more fruit trees to prevent the monkeys from entering the residential areas.

By engaging residents, there can be more constructive feedback to facilitate humane, effective wildlife management procedures.

By coming up with pre-emptive measures, there would be fewer complaints about wildlife, and the public would understand the situation better, in the interest of safeguarding wildlife and preventing knee-jerk reactions from the authorities.

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