macaque trade

[Guest guest]

2007/10/24-New Straits Times

 

Macaque trade: Restore the ban on export of monkeys

By : N. SURENDRAN, for Malaysian Animal Rights and Welfare Society

(ROAR) Kuala Lumpur

 

 

There are humane methods of controlling the macaque population, such

as sterilisation, relocation and culling.

 

 

THIS week is Malaysian Environment Week. I call upon the Minister of

Natural Resources and Environment to restore the ban on the export of

long-tailed macaques.

 

Earlier this year, the ministry decided to lift the export ban in

order to control the monkey population. This move reversed a 23-year

ban on such exports.

 

Most countries in the region have maintained the ban and have evolved

other ways of dealing with macaque overpopulation.

 

There are humane methods of controlling the macaque population, such

as sterilisation, relocation and culling.

 

To export them for their meat and to animal-testing labs is to condemn

the monkeys to unimaginable pain and suffering.

 

In addition, the lifting of the ban will lead to indiscriminate and

excessive trapping and export of monkeys by illegal wildlife traders.

 

The task of the Wildlife and National Parks Department in monitoring

and halting illegal trade will also be that much harder with the

lifting of the ban. This was, in fact, the situation in the 1980s,

when the government made the right move of imposing the ban. If the

ministry goes ahead with the export plan, undoubtedly Malaysia's

reputation abroad will be damaged.

 

Malaysians are a compassionate people who want animals to be treated

justly and kindly.

 

This is apparent from the recent nationwide furore over the Selayang

Municipal Council's dog-catching competition.

 

It is not skyscrapers and giant malls that make us a civilised nation.

It is this coming together of all Malaysians, speaking in one voice

transcending race and religion in defence of helpless animals that

makes us an enlightened nation.

 

It is hoped that the ministry will respond to this aspiration of all

Malaysians by restoring the ban on the trade of long-tailed macaques.