I READ Wednesday's report ("Monkey complaints fall by over half after a third of them culled") with alarm and disappointment that even after repeated calls to adopt humane methods to effectively control the wildlife population, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) is still resorting to culling.
The reason these monkeys venture into residential areas is the lack of natural food sources within the forested areas.
Culling is a cruel and deliberate act to end an animal's life, which can be classified under animal cruelty.
A better solution would be to gather data on monkey populations, using infrared cameras and motion sensors, and working with the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) to humanely trap the monkeys for sterilisation.
The monkeys could also be microchipped so that their movements and numbers can be monitored.
Sterilisation is the best option in controlling the population of animals in Singapore.
Since it is hard to relocate the monkeys, another option would be to install designated feeding stations inside forested areas where there are high numbers of monkeys, so that as long as there are food sources deep within the forested areas, the monkeys would not venture out.
Planting fruit-bearing trees would also help keep the monkeys within the forested areas as they would have enough to eat.
Acres' survey results show that more can be done to educate residents on the methods to properly dispose of refuse and on the benefits of sterilisation to control the monkey population ("Acres survey finds little support for animal culling"; Tuesday).
I urge the authorities to vrethink the use of culling and to seek constructive dialogue with residents and Acres to find a humane way to control the monkey problem.
Darren Chan Keng Leong
The reason these monkeys venture into residential areas is the lack of natural food sources within the forested areas.
Culling is a cruel and deliberate act to end an animal's life, which can be classified under animal cruelty.
A better solution would be to gather data on monkey populations, using infrared cameras and motion sensors, and working with the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) to humanely trap the monkeys for sterilisation.
The monkeys could also be microchipped so that their movements and numbers can be monitored.
Sterilisation is the best option in controlling the population of animals in Singapore.
Since it is hard to relocate the monkeys, another option would be to install designated feeding stations inside forested areas where there are high numbers of monkeys, so that as long as there are food sources deep within the forested areas, the monkeys would not venture out.
Planting fruit-bearing trees would also help keep the monkeys within the forested areas as they would have enough to eat.
Acres' survey results show that more can be done to educate residents on the methods to properly dispose of refuse and on the benefits of sterilisation to control the monkey population ("Acres survey finds little support for animal culling"; Tuesday).
I urge the authorities to vrethink the use of culling and to seek constructive dialogue with residents and Acres to find a humane way to control the monkey problem.
Darren Chan Keng Leong
