Public outrage over the government’s plan to shoot monkeys

The Saint Kitts and Nevis Department of Agriculture has come under fire for its plan to treat with the Federations monkey problem.

In a statement posted on social media, the department reminded farmers of Operation Manisport which “speaks to the shooting of Monkeys in the area of Newton Ground to Belmont Mountain in farming areas of these communities.”

The release further stated that members of the public and farmers are asked to exercise extreme caution between the hours of 6am and 12 noon on Thursday, December 3.

“All farmers in these areas are asked if they are not attending the Monkey control meeting are also asked to stay away from their farms during this period.”

Earlier this year the government announced plans to intensify its pest control efforts to address what was described as a “growing monkey problem.”

In January, Director of Agriculture Melvin James said, for many years, farmers in Saint Kitts and Nevis have been at the mercy of the cheeky pests, who they say continue to destroy their crop resulting in hundreds of thousands of follows in losses.

A Monkey Task Force was formed to address the problem.

Despite the damage caused by the monkey population in Saint Kitts, many believe that they now form an integral part of the country’s tourism product.

When news of the planned monkey-shooting escapade was made public, many people took to social media to share their views.

One man posted on Facebook: “There are better ways to reduce human-wildlife conflict than a mass killing of innocent animals.”

Several others responded to his comment demanding that he offer alternatives. They claimed that the monkeys threaten the Federation’s food security.

Quite a few people seemed interested in one thing, getting their hands on the monkey meat!

Responding to questions posed by other commenters, some disclosed plans to use the meat in dog food while others revealed that the meat would be used in food for their consumption.

One commenter posted: “Please let us know if the meat will be for sale or free and where. Happy Hunting!! Looking forward to the BIG catch.“

Most people seemed excited by the prospect of being rid of the cheeky pests.

One woman posted: “If monkey want we food, let them go plant. Kill all of them!”

There were quite a few people, however, who strongly criticised the plan outlined by the Agriculture Division to control the monkey population.

One man posted: “If any babies are left behind from these killings, please bring them to me for safe harbour! I will be more than happy to raise them and take care of them.”

Another posted: “The monkeys are troublesome but they are Gods creations too. There must be a better way.”

One woman even cautioned authorities against inviting the wrath of God.

She posted: “Yes they eat our food and cost us a lot of money, but the good book says vengeance belongs to the Lord. What would God have us do? Not kill them, of that I’m sure!”

Another commenter, a woman who claims to have visited Saint Kitts and Nevis at least five times before, said shooting the monkeys should never have been tabled as an option.

She posted: “Evil! Pure evil! I look forward to seeing these cute, furry critters every time I’ve visited, to read that the government is boldly planning to hunt them and kill them… these monkeys may be causing problems but there has to be a better way. It’s disappointing to see the warm and welcoming people I met on all my visits there celebrate such an EVIL plan. I won’t be back!”

Her sentiment was echoed by a St Kitts-Nevis national who posted: “Can’t expect much more from Harris(Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris) and his minions. If they don’t care bout the people you expect them to care about the monkeys? Wait until God ready for them…bunch of EVIL AND WICKED POLITICIANS. God ain’t sleeping.”