food snatching monkeys

these incidents of wild monkeys snatching food from unsuspecting or suspecting visitors to the parks are not a new phenomenon. i remember in the old days when we visited our own botanic gardens at tanglin, we had to be wary of these monkeys. people then were feeding monkeys openly as it was not an offence to do so. that was before they were declared a public nuisance and were subsequently culled.

i also remember my visit to penang's botanic gardens more than 30 years ago. the garden is located at the end of jalan kebun bunga, about 8km from the city, georgetown. i had gone to penang to visit my balestier hill's colleague khoo boo sun. i can still remember the bewilderment and fear of some young children as the long tailed marcaques snatched away their snacks. we could only watched helplessly.

humans seem to have some strong affinity for their closest relatives in the animal kingdom. it is almost instinctive that they have to feed the monkeys. in spite of all the warning signs, i have seen, at various spots all over the island, people sneaking food to the wild monkeys.

with the doubling of the fine - from $250 to $500, may be these 'kind-hearted people' will be more discreet and careful.