ON Dec 27, the Malaysian Animal Welfare Association lodged a police report against an online vendor selling poison to kill monkeys.
The individual was seen throwing ice cream laced with a poison called “Crodex” towards these animals, with the clear intention to ‘rid’ them permanently. He was also selling the poison on TikTok and repeatedly made bold statements, saying he would not entertain critics.
The police must come forward to clarify whether stern action has been taken against this man.
Monkeys, though many Malaysians feel they have become increasingly disruptive to their lives, considering them as strays like cats and dogs, are still living, breathing creatures.
Poisoning food sources does not solve the problem; in fact, it may create more issues that endanger the lives of other animals and could spread to humans.
Monkeys and other wildlife should be humanely trapped and returned to their natural habitats, not mindlessly killed.
It is important to acknowledge that, as urbanisation advances and buildings are erected, their territories shrink.
These animals are simply searching for ways to survive. Lacing food with poison and distributing it these eager, hungry animals is a blatant act of cruelty.
We must find ways to coexist with them, such as building animal corridors, implementing non-lethal deterrents, and promoting wildlife conservation efforts.
Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara (Perhilitan) must do more for these monkeys, trapping and releasing them back to safer territories.
Furthermore, how was poison allowed to be sold on these platforms in the first place? Crodex, according to the animal welfare NGO, is a product meant for farmers to eliminate parasites for their crops.
The authorities must investigate these sources and act to crack down on the sale of such products.
This poses a serious risk: what happens if someone purchases this poison not for the ‘proper disposal of monkeys’ but for house pets and strays causing ‘disturbances’, or worse, crimes against humans instead?
As the new year begins, we have yet to see concrete actions taken to address the jeopardisation of animal welfare. These repeated stories of abuse that results in no repercussions or reforms is a serious issue.
From Kopi, the viral dog that was culled, to the disturbing series of killings of cats and dogs at the University of Malaya, and now the poisoning of monkeys, it is clear that we must urgently reassess and strengthen our animal welfare laws. Immediate action is needed to comprehensively address these issues. – Jan 3, 2024
Saw Yee Fung is the MCA Youth secretary-general.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image: Screenshot from TikTok
