The challenge of macaque management

THERE was fuss when it was revealed that 97,119 long-tailed macaques had been culled in Peninsular Malaysia in 2012, while the federal wildlife authority noted in a later report for 2013 that a further 68,413 macaques were culled that year.

Some Malaysians were shocked, and condemned the practice. But unless we are to believe that the wildlife authorities have nothing better to do, and kill monkeys for fun, then surely there must be a reason.