Galiyat’s hungry monkeys trigger human feeding debate

Decline in tourist numbers results in food shortage

PESHAWAR:

Recently surfacing reports about monkey's suffering due to food shortage because of a decline in tourists to Galiyat during the month of Ramazan has triggered a debate over feeding of wild animals by humans.

A number of animal lovers are nowadays sharing pictures of monkeys wandering in the open fields of Galiyat in search of food as they face hunger in the wake of a sudden decline in tourists who feed them fruit and snacks for fun apart from taking pictures.

Sharing pictures of the animals on social media, netizens are making “calls for help of starving monkeys” to raise fund for providing food to them during this month when tourists are not visiting scenic sites serving as lair for primates and other wild species.

Some appeals have been made, urging tourists to visit Galiyat and other scenic sites with extra loafs of bread and other food for distribution among starving monkeys.

The appeals by animal lovers received prompt objections from conservation experts with comments on convincing people not to take part in such an activity as it is detrimental for wild species in the longer run.

"Don't feed animals in wild, it will change their feeding behavior," warned Dr Muhammad Kabir, a PHD lecturer at Haripur University’s Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management. His response came to a viral post on popular messaging app WhatsApp.

The post was made by a group member Shoaib Salim, a student and resident of Manshera district, who during his recent visit to Nathiagali observed sufferings of monkey due to lack of food.

"I was sleeping in a hotel room during a recent visit to Galiyat and woke up due to a noise of monkeys  scratching the door and trying to enter in a bid to get  some food," Shoaib said. "They are not being fed from forests and are now dependents on tourists.

“There feeding behavior are not like the amazon animals, Pls think about that," explained Dr Kabir when asked abpout the reasons for not feeding wild animals.

"Wildness in monkeys has gone long ago otherwise they will never come close to humans like this, Lets be part of wild nature's welfare," argued Shoaib. “There are thousands of monkeys in Galiyat whose eating habit has been changed totally and it’s not suitable to train them to adopt a natural source of feed.”

He highlighted that after the holy month of Ramazan is concluded, it is highly probable that the old routine of tourists will resume and they will begin arriving in Galiyat and this is why it’s not advisable to change the eating habit of monkeys for just a month.

"I can understand your love for wild animals, but you need to follow protocol. This activity of artificial feeding will have a negative impact on the wild population. Must read and follow instructions given by K-P wildlife dept," added Dr Kabir.

Talking to APP, WWF Pakistan Manager Muhammad Waseem said, "Tourists feeding monkeys in Galiyat and other scenic sites including Margalla Hills has disturbed the eating habits of the animals which is creating a lot of problems for locals, wildlife protectors and visitors themselves."

He maintained that nature has kept food for monkeys in the forest, but food provided to them by locals and tourists has affected the habits of the animal, disturbing the natural process by making them dependent on humans.

“In Margalla hills, sign boards are also hung, advising visitors not to feed animals especially monkeys and let them get food naturally,” Waseem added.

On the other hand, an M Phil scholar from Buner who has researched on the subject, Daud Khan Yousafzai said, "Human feeding are depriving different wild species of their instinct of wilderness and making them dependent on humans thus damaging the ecosystem."

Shifting from natural food to human provided items is also affecting the eco-system because these monkeys plays an important role in regeneration of different plant species through distribution of seeds through fecal.  

Sajid Hussain, Field Assistant Common Leopard WWF-Pakistan, when contacted, also objected to distribution of food to wild species by humans.

He said tourists’ feeding has brought monkeys close to human settlement, affected the eco system as the common leopards in Galiyat are now making more predation on livestock.

Monkeys are prey of the leopard but most of the primates have descended down in human settlements compelling leopards to opt to livestock, ensuing in retaliatory killing of feline by locals.

Sajid also disclosed that due to monkey and human closeness for getting food, the incidents of monkey bites are also increasing with the risk of rabies because majority of the people in mountainous regions are not aware about administering an anti-rabies shot after being bitten by a monkey.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 26^th, 2022.