WSO calls for halt of monkey trapping in Puri temple

Bhubaneswar, Feb 9 (UNI) The Wildlife Society of Orissa(WSO) has questioned the unscientific efforts to trap and relocate the commensal monkeys of Lord Jagannath's temple at Puri.

Stating that capturing the monkeys by the Mankadia and Pahadi tribes of Mayurbhanj from the temple premises in the late night hour was cruel and harmful, Mr Mohanty said monkey catching and relocation are scientific work and could only be done with proper technical advice and assistance.

It is tragic that no primate scientist or experts in wildlife relocation has been involved in this operation, the WSO secretary said in spite of their best efforts, the Mankadia tribals were engaged in the work and could manage to catch only eight monkeys.

This clearly showed that the temple administration was clueless about the entire operation and ham handed attempts had been made to trap them, Mr Mohanty remarked.

He said urbanization and monoculture of forest species had irreversibly affected the environment of the monkeys resulting in rise in the number of commensal monkeys in Orissa.

Since the species is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the state government must ensure that the monkeys were not subjected to needless pain and suffering.

The WSO Secretary said the tribals did not have any scientific knowledge about monkey groups and social structure. Ideally experts should carry out the exercise.

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