Plan to move ‘stubborn’ Phuket monkeys to islets
ACTING on complaints from residents of Phuket’s Thepkasattri Road that they are being continuously disturbed by monkeys, the Nature and Wildlife Education Center Khao Phra Thaeo is thinking about moving the “stubborn” ones to small islets off the eastern coast, Matichon newspaper said today (May 4).
Nature and Wildlife Education Center Khao Phra Thaeo chief Pongchart Chouehorm accompanied Klong Saeng Wildlife Research Station head Kriangsak Sibuarod and Thepkasattri subdistrict officials visited nearby Koh Ngam and Koh Payu islets to assess the possibility and suitability of moving long-tailed or crab-eating macaques there and reduce problems between man and monkey on Phuket itself.
The initial inspection showed that both islets are suitable habitats from crab-eating macaques which are mangrove forest monkeys and eat shrimp, shellfish, crabs, fish and small marine animals on the beach. If the idea is implemented only the “stubborn” monkeys that continuously trouble residents would be moved to there.
However Mr Pongchart mentioned that he also has to sound out the residents to find out what they want.
While these two islets are only 15 to 20 minutes away from Phuket, there are three others off the eastern coast which also have to be surveyed. Most importantly the team has to find out whether anyone owns these islets, which agencies are responsible for them, whether anyone lives on them and whether is idea is feasible.
Only should it be implementable would a plan be submitted to Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and Phuket authorities to consider.
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Top: One of the two islets being considered as a new home for “stubborn” Phuket monkeys with a photo of some of them inset. Photo: Matichon newspaper
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