Menaced by monkeys but not keen to call Perhilitan

I REFER to the letter “When the protector becomes the destroyer” (The Star, May 1). I totally agree with the writer’s view that Asians are generally lacking in instincts for animal protection.

My parents and siblings have lived in Seremban all their lives. For the past few years, countless monkeys, old and young, have been terrorising their homes and the whole neighbourhood. They’ve had to spend a lot of money to repair the damage caused by the monkeys on their houses. The monkeys remove roof tiles and run off with clothes and shoes left outside to dry. All the windows and doors have to be locked 24 hours a day as well.

Two years ago, my siblings contacted the Wildlife Department (Perhilitan) to do something about the monkeys. However, the action of the Perhilitan workers shocked them because, instead of catching the monkeys and relocating them, they just shot the animals, including the infants, mercilessly. My siblings were so traumatised at seeing baby monkeys being killed they vowed never to call Perhilitan ever again.

From the letter, I gather that Perhilitan is still killing innocent animals instead of relocating them to safer areas.

The monkeys are getting more daring as they are now removing the side mirrors from my siblings’ cars, switching on the lights and breaking the lamps outside. But my siblings cannot bring themselves to call Perhilitan and witness another killing spree again.

They really hope this problem can be solved (without killing the monkeys) so that they can live in peace.