Concerned at the sharp rise in the number of Complaints of Nuisance Monkeys in the Community
The St. Maarten Nature Foundation has been conducting baseline surveys in order to determine the abundance and level of threat posed by the invasive monkey population on the island.
The Nature Foundation has increasingly been receiving complaints and reports of monkeys causing problems for residents in various districts. The Nature Foundation has been researching extensively on what can be done to control the population and will be providing a report as such to Government.
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Caption: large troupe of Monkeys photographed (Photo courtesy of Chris Garner)
Many residents have been contacting the Nature Foundation regarding large groups of vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus), acting aggressively towards residents and pets, overturning garbage bins in numerous districts, destroying gardens and garden furniture and defecating on people’s property. The Monkeys have been known to act aggressively if they feel threatened and can also have a negative effect on our local flora and fauna. Monkeys are not picky eaters and will eat anything from bird eggs to ornamental and fruit plants and trees. During the research into the monkey population various breeding individuals and numerous young monkeys were observed. This is worrying since this may lead to a sharp increase in the number of the Monkeys
The Nature Foundation urges residents to not approach these animals and to contact the Nature Foundation so that the animals can be recorded. In the coming weeks there will be various exchanges with experts in various locations who are used to dealing with monkeys and other exotic invasive animals in order to come with recommendations to the authorities as to what should be the best way to approach this problem.
If a monkey, raccoon or any other unusual animal is observed contact the Nature Foundation at 5444267 or via in**@na*****************.org.