Nature reserve safe for joggers, visitors, assures warden
KUCHING: The Samajaya Nature Reserve is safe for joggers and visitors, park warden Ahdzyzdha Razali assures the public.
She also points out that there is no record of the monkeys there being affected by rabies.
Her remarks were made in response to a claim about a man from Tabuan Desa Utara, who had been bitten by a monkey at a Tabuan Desa shoplot recently.
The news, which has gone viral on social media, also includes calls by several netizens urging joggers to not go to Samajaya Nature Reserve – formerly known as Stutong Forest Park.
“Monkeys, by nature, are very territorial; once they have settled in an area, they would not go elsewhere or venture out too far,” said Ahdzyzdha when met by The Borneo Post yesterday.
However, she acknowledged that it could not be confirmed where the said monkey came from – adding that it could have come from Tabuan Desa Utara itself or the nearby Sungai Tabuan.
“There are forests there ( in Tabuan Desa Utara and Sungai Tabuan) too. There have been times when monkeys are spotted at the rubbish dumping site in Tabuan Desa – most likely, looking for food,” she said, adding that she had also seen the viral news, which reported that the incident occurred at around 3.30pm on Sunday.
Based on the audio recording, the victim had gone to meet his friend’s office at a shoplot in Tabuan Desa Utara and upon returning from that meeting, he was shocked to see a monkey on his motorcycle.
In his attempt to chase the animal away, he was attacked and bitten by the monkey.
The man was then sent to KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital for treatment.
However, it is learnt later that he received outpatient treatment and was discharged that very same day.
“The hospital has confirmed that the victim did seek treatment there, but other details such as the medical treatment, are treated as private and confidential matters,” said Ahdzyzdha.
She also said there had been no such incident ever occurred at Samajaya Nature Reserve.
“I assure you that any incident happening at this park, we would know and have a report on it at our office.”
There are forests there (in Tabuan Desa Utara and Sungai Tabuan) too. There have been times when monkeys are spotted at the rubbish dumping site in Tabuan Desa – most likely, looking for food.
Ahdzyzdha Razali, Samajaya Nature Reserve park warden
On another key mat ter, Ahdzyzdha advised the joggers and also all members of the public against feeding the monkeys at Samajaya Nature Reserve, as indicated on the many signboards around the park – beginning at the entrance.
According to her, monkeys could turn aggressive if they were disturbed.
“Once if you feed them, they would get used to it; if not given food when they’re hungry, they would become aggressive.
“Moreover, the monkeys actually remember who give them food and would come back for more; if you don’t give any to them, they could become aggressive too.
“We have been advising joggers and the public not to bring any food and feed the monkeys at the park, but many would just not listen,” she said, stating that another reason behind this reminder is to maintain the park’s cleanliness.
On rabies, Ahdzyzdha assured the public that Samajaya Nature Reserve is rabies-free.
Meanwhile, Samajaya Nature Reserve assistant (conservation) Md Irwan Abdullah said the population of monkeys at the park had increased.
“There were only about 20 monkeys several years ago, but their birth rate has been on the rise since.
“This place is a refuge for many animals and plants.”
Current ly, some par ts of Samajaya Nature Reserve are undergoing upgrading works, including the park office and some of the joggers’ tracks. The overall project is scheduled for completion by July this year.
The park is open from 6.30am to 6.30pm daily.