The search to find a new home for Phuket’s increasingly dangerous monkey population continued this week as wildlife experts scoured more nearby islands for suitable habitats.
Leading the inspection was Pongchart Chouehorm, Director of the Natural and Wildlife Education Centre at Khao Phra Thaew Non-Hunting Area, in Thalang, who is the officer responsible for the protection and conservation of all natural wildlife on the island.
Over the last week, the team inspected the small islands island of Koh Malee, Koh Payu, and Koh Ngam, off Phuket’s east coast.
The inspections were held to carry out surveys of the natural food and water sources available.
“These islands were found to be suitable new homes for any relocated monkeys,” Pongchart said.
“This project was launched to solve the macaque problem because the populations around Toh Sae Hill and Rang Hill in Phuket Town, and the viewpoint on Koh Siray are growing quickly and they are running out of room to live without conflicting with people,” Pongchart explained.
“We are still carrying out our inspections,” he said yesterday.
The plan to move monkeys to nearby islands was first set in motion in May when Pongchart and a team of experts inspected the small islands of Koh Pae and Koh Thanan but those locations locations were not suitable.
The badly-behaved monkeys made news yet again last week when a local resident suffered a severe bite on his leg after he was attacked by a troop of monkeys on Toh Sae Hill. This event spurred the team to continue their search for a new home for the monkeys.
Despite extensive warnings posted by Phuket City Municipality, the man, like so many other local residents and tourists, regularly fed the monkeys. He was carrying peanuts to feed to the troop when he was attacked.
Story: The Phuket News
