Brian Jeffrey
Son Tra Peninsula in Da Nang, once a serene getaway celebrated for its vibrant rainforest, is increasingly encountering tensions between humans and its wildlife.
The local monkey populations, particularly the endangered red-shanked douc langurs and other species, have become overly reliant on tourists for food.
This reliance has resulted in aggressive behaviors, as monkeys actively search for food, sometimes even grabbing it from visitors.
Recently, tourists at popular sites like Linh Ung Pagoda and the Intercontinental Resort have reported being approached by aggressive groups of monkeys. These once-timid creatures now boldly approach and sometimes display hostility if denied food.
The Da Nang Forest Protection Department confirms that this behavioral shift is a direct result of the monkeys adapting to human food sources.
“Monkeys now expect food from people, leading to conflicts when they do not receive it,” a spokesperson explained.
Tran Huu Vy, Director of the GreenViet Center for Biodiversity Conservation, states that human activities invading the monkeys’ habitats are a significant factor in this predicament.
“By feeding them, we disrupt their natural foraging instincts and contribute to their aggressive behavior when food isn’t offered,” Vy pointed out.
The implications of this behavioral change are concerning. With each generation, monkeys lose their innate foraging skills due to their increasing dependence on humans, complicating future conservation initiatives.
Experts worry the situation may deteriorate further if not addressed. Reports have emerged of monkeys expanding into residential areas like Tho Quang and Man Thai, where they disturb residents by scavenging for food and causing property damage. Vy cited instances in Cù Lao Chàm, where monkeys have invaded homes and disrupted daily life.
To combat this issue, Vy and his colleagues argue that merely raising public awareness is insufficient. “We require stricter measures to stop people from illegally feeding monkeys and littering in their habitats,” he emphasized.
He also proposed that monkeys overly dependent on humans should be relocated to rehabilitation centers where they can relearn survival skills in the wild.
In reaction to these challenges, Da Nang’s Department of Tourism has intensified efforts to inform visitors about the risks of feeding wildlife and its negative impacts on ecosystem health.
The department is pressing the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to impose fines on those who feed these animals.
However, progress is slow. Within the first eight months of 2024, nearly 1,500 tourists were cautioned against feeding monkeys, but the lack of enforceable penalties allows such behavior to continue unchecked.
Vy warns that immediate action is needed. “Delaying this issue may lead to it becoming unmanageable,” he cautioned.
He urged local authorities to implement penalties for littering and for feeding wildlife on the peninsula, as part of a larger initiative to rebalance the ecosystem and safeguard both people and animals.
Dieu Thuy
