Singapore-island gateway

[Guest guest]

Tuesday July 6, 2004

Island gateway for monkeys planned

 

 

A GROUP of animal lovers has proposed that a southern island be turned into

a

haven for monkeys, to save them from culling as well as serve as an

eco-tourism

attraction.

 

The 15-member group, made up of mainly long-time expatriates, has decided on

Pulau Tekukor, an uninhabited 4.9ha isle less than 1km away from Sentosa.

 

They settled on it after 15 visits, said the group & #8217;s leader, Barbara

Martelli, 40, a former husbandry specialist.

 

Its varied terrain, including a forested area and a rocky shore, can provide

different habitats for the long-tailed macaques commonly found in nature

reserves here.

 

Also, when the deserted island becomes a monkey haven, it & #8217;ll open

another

area for people to visit, said Martelli.

 

“I believe there are seven monkey islands in the world, but nothing similar

in

concept,” she added.

 

What motivated the group to produce a long-term solution were the nasty

alternatives for the monkeys: be culled or be stuck in a cage for the rest

of

their lives.

 

Figures from the National Parks Board and Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority

show that an average of 43 monkeys have been culled in each of the last four

years because they became too aggressive.

 

They & #8217;d threatened people or become a nuisance by raiding homes and

stealing food.

 

The plan for a monkey island took two years in the making, with the group

spending about 10 hours a week on it.

 

They have even worked out lesson plans for experiential learning for

students,

contacted tertiary institutions about possible collaborations and written to

eight agencies to seek approval for the project. & #8211; The Straits

Times/Asia

News Network

 

_______________

Download ringtones, logos and picture messages from MSN Malaysia

http://www.msn.com.my/mobile/ringtones/default.asp