No monkey business: People are urged to immediately contact the police or Perhilitan for assistance if wild animals react aggressively and endanger public safety.
KUALA KRAI: A total of 28 complaints involving threats from wild animals such as elephants, tigers, monkeys, snakes, wild boars and tapirs were reported in Kuala Krai between January and May this year, say the police.
OCPD Supt Mazlan Mamat said this marks a significant increase compared to just two cases recorded during the same period last year.
He stated that out of the total, 12 complaints were filed at the Manik Urai police station; 11 of these cases were related to wild elephants, while one involved long-tailed macaques.
“At the Kuala Krai police station, 10 cases were reported, six involving elephants, two involving snakes, and one each involving monkeys and a tapir.
“The Laloh police station received six complaints involving wild elephants,” he told Bernama during an observation visit to Kampung Tualang here yesterday.
Supt Mazlan said so far, no reports have been lodged regarding threats from tigers or wild boars in residential areas.
“Continuous action will be carried out in cooperation with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) to address these threats, especially in residential areas.
“We urge the public to refrain from provoking these wild animals under any circumstances, as doing so may endanger your safety.
“If an incident occurs, immediately contact the police or Perhilitan for further assistance,” he said.
Last Saturday, it was reported that about 300 residents of Kampung Kubang Lebur, Kampung Batu Lada and Taman Berkat Jaya were living in fear due to a series of wild monkey attacks, which resulted in two people being injured within a week.
Supt Mazlan advised residents not to tamper with the traps set up by Perhilitan, as they are intended to protect the community from wild animal threats.
“We also advise the public to dispose of their rubbish properly in trash bins and to separate food waste from other packaging.
“Do not feed the monkeys indiscriminately as this will cause them to become dependent on the food given and lead them to intrude into people’s homes,” he added.
