THE sight of monkeys swinging from tree to tree at the perimeter fence separating the Ayer Hitam forest reserve and the housing area of Taman Saujana Puchong was once regarded as cute and playful.
From about a month ago, however, the animals' behaviour changed for the worse – causing residents to fear for their safety.
Last month, a grandfather who tried to save his two-year-old grandchild from being attacked by a short-tailed macaque ended up in hospital with a fractured hip and deep gashes on his hands and thighs.
Due to the severity of his injuries, Tan Keong Kwee, 69, who lives in Jalan SP 6, had to be warded at Hospital Serdang for a month.
According to Chin Siew Mee, his 61-year old wife, Tan will be discharged on Friday (Oct 28).
Residents said a child was also attacked by a monkey at Jalan SP10 on the same day and have images of gaping wounds on her arm to prove it.
“The monkeys never bothered us before. But they began coming into our homes, stealing fruits from our trees and rummaging through our rubbish bins a month ago,” said Sarath Krishnan, an area resident for 14 years.
A resident of 10 years, Rubandra Kumar, said the monkeys also ate the leaves off plants in their gardens.
Wild boars and iguanas have also been spotted in the area, according to residents.
The residents are blaming nearby development projects for the change in the animals’ behaviour.
“The ongoing development may have destroyed their habitat and with it their food source. This may be why they are coming to our houses,” said Sivashankaran Pillay, another resident.
Puchong Gerakan division chief Jimmy Chew Jyh Gang, who called a press conference to highlight this issue, said he notified the Wildlife Department (Perhilitan) of the residents' complaints through its hotline.
Calling the attacks horrifying, Chew said he hoped the authorities will be able to take appropriate action.
Puchong MCA head Datuk Liew Yuen Keong said the change in the animals' behaviour suggested they may be desperate for food.
“These monkeys could be guided to another part of the forest as there is a lot of space in the reserve.
"This would be a more humane method. For greater safety, residents could keep their windows and doors closed to prevent wild animals coming into their homes,” he said.
Subang Jaya councillor Thomas Low said Perhilitan was alerted on the day of Tan’s attack.
Due to the extent of the victims’ injuries, Low had also contacted the Welfare Department so that the victims would be able to submit medical claims.
“I have advised Tan’s son to make a police report and fill up the claim form as soon as possible,” said Low.
For safety, he advised the residents to leave the wild animals alone as any attempt to frighten them off may only cause them to become aggressive.
Selangor Perhilitan director Dennis Ten said a team was sent to survey the area on the evening of the attack.
Based on images captured byTan’s family, Perhilitan managed to identify the short-tailed macaque. It was captured the next day and removed from the vicinity.
