Several residents of Sunway Batu Caves apartment have lodged a police report against their joint management body (JMB) and the Wildlife Department over what they claimed to be an unethical killing of monkeys in the area.
Former JMB chairperson Avatar Singh said he witnessed the culling of the long-tailed macaques after he heard a loud bang while he was at home last Tuesday.
"I saw someone pick up a rifle, aimed towards monkeys that were at the hill.
"When they shot the monkeys, one of the monkeys fell down along with a baby still attached to her," Avatar told reporters after lodging the police report at the Selayang district police headquarters today.
He claimed three men in plain clothes were shooting the monkeys with rifles beside a pickup truck bearing the Wildlife Department logo on it.
He said residents were not notified that the shootings would take place.
Avatar said the culling was carried out after the JMB reportedly received complaints from residents of monkeys damaging their property.
However, he claimed that his requests to sight the documented complaints on the damaged property were not entertained by the management body.
Shooting captured on video
Meanwhile, another eyewitness who wanted to remain anonymous, said he had confronted the Wildlife Department officers on the day of the shooting - which was captured on video.
The video, which has been shared widely by animal activist groups on social media, showed a man confronting a man in plainclothes - believed to be from the Wildlife Department - for fatally shooting the monkeys.
The officer then replied that he was acting on complaints from the JMB.
While the heated conversation took place, several macaques - believed to be either injured or dead - were seen loaded up on the bed of the pickup truck which had the Wildlife Department logo on it.
Speaking to the media today, the witness claimed there were around 20 monkeys that were either caught in a cage trap or killed.
He said he had lodged a police report on the day of the incident itself.
He also chastised the Wildlife Department for opening fire in a residential area.
"What if a stray bullet hit one of the children or an adult? Are they going to say sorry?" he asked.
Long-tailed macaques are protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act.
However, Section 52 of the act does allow for Wildlife Department officers to kill animals “in good faith” if the wildlife is a danger to human life or property, or as a mercy killing.
Malaysiakini has contacted the Sunway Batu Caves apartment’s JMB as well as the Wildlife Department for comment.
Lawyers for Animals Rights, Rajesh Nagarajan and Sachpreet Singh, were present to assist the residents to lodge the police report today. - Mkini
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