Over 170 monkeys translocated

Disna MUDALIGE

Over 170 monkeys in Hambantota were captured and translocated as a temporary measure to control crop damages caused by these creatures, an official from the Wildlife Conservation Department (WCD) told the Daily News yesterday.

The monkey menace has been seriously affecting cultivation in Hambantota, Galle and Matara causing heavy losses for the people. Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa has facilitated monetary funds to take adequate measures through Divi Neguma programme to control this menace.

The official said that the WCD regional office and the District Secretariat Division commenced this programme about a month ago as a temporary solution. The majority of the captured were toque monkeys. The captured monkeys had been released to forest areas with ample food and water.

However, the official expressed that this measure cannot be continued for long and a permanent well planned solution such as preventing reproduction should be introduced to curb this menace. He said that even though monkeys are attracted to the cages where food is laid during the dry season due to lack of food, this method will be unsuccessful during the rainy season.

When inquired whether translocation will disturb the lifestyle and behaviour of the monkeys, he said that a similar programme was conducted in Tangalle about a year ago with good results. However, he said that no extensive research was carried out after the translocation and he pointed out the need of such a mechanism to monitor the translocated animals.