LAST Wednesday's report ("Monkey complaints fall by over half after a third of them culled") raises three important questions that we need to consider if Singapore wants to maintain its reputation of being a cosmopolitan city, with a small but thriving ecosystem of nature and wildlife.
First, what are we trying to achieve with culling the macaque population?
If it is simply a knee-jerk response to views from one group, then let us take a step back and look at the broader goal of balancing needs of residents living next to nature areas with our country's need to have nature and wildlife.
Next, is culling of this native, ecologically important species an effective solution to achieving human-wildlife harmony in the long term?
There is little ecological justification for the culling as part of a holistic wildlife management strategy that balances ecological needs and animal welfare with public safety concerns.
That said, how can human-macaque harmony be made sustainable? There are several alternatives to culling that can be implemented.
Already, the report mentions monkey-proof bins and herding of the macaques.
Our experience has been that what humans do heavily influences how the macaques behave; for example, keeping food out of sight and not
feeding the macaques help keep them away.
Educating the public about macaques and their behaviour can go a long way in minimising conflict, and that is why we conduct free public walks in conjunction with the National Parks Board to help the public learn about them.
Beyond education, we need to investigate other solutions, like a buffer zone between residences and nature reserves, or having rangers in hot spots to educate and prevent incidents between parkgoers and wildlife.
While these may take a while to implement, there can be long-term benefits to both people and nature.
By defaulting to culling as an immediate solution, it creates in the public a mindset that wildlife are a nuisance to be dealt with, versus fellow inhabitants of the Earth with which harmony can be achieved.
There are many better alternatives that will help build a sustainable ecosystem of environment, animals and people.
Tay Kae Fong
President
Jane Goodall Institute (Singapore)
Forum Note: Jane Goodall Institute (Singapore) is part of a global network promoting the sustainable development of environment, animals and people
First, what are we trying to achieve with culling the macaque population?
If it is simply a knee-jerk response to views from one group, then let us take a step back and look at the broader goal of balancing needs of residents living next to nature areas with our country's need to have nature and wildlife.
Next, is culling of this native, ecologically important species an effective solution to achieving human-wildlife harmony in the long term?
There is little ecological justification for the culling as part of a holistic wildlife management strategy that balances ecological needs and animal welfare with public safety concerns.
That said, how can human-macaque harmony be made sustainable? There are several alternatives to culling that can be implemented.
Already, the report mentions monkey-proof bins and herding of the macaques.
Our experience has been that what humans do heavily influences how the macaques behave; for example, keeping food out of sight and not
feeding the macaques help keep them away.
Educating the public about macaques and their behaviour can go a long way in minimising conflict, and that is why we conduct free public walks in conjunction with the National Parks Board to help the public learn about them.
Beyond education, we need to investigate other solutions, like a buffer zone between residences and nature reserves, or having rangers in hot spots to educate and prevent incidents between parkgoers and wildlife.
While these may take a while to implement, there can be long-term benefits to both people and nature.
By defaulting to culling as an immediate solution, it creates in the public a mindset that wildlife are a nuisance to be dealt with, versus fellow inhabitants of the Earth with which harmony can be achieved.
There are many better alternatives that will help build a sustainable ecosystem of environment, animals and people.
Tay Kae Fong
President
Jane Goodall Institute (Singapore)
Forum Note: Jane Goodall Institute (Singapore) is part of a global network promoting the sustainable development of environment, animals and people
