The government of Sint Maarten, an island belonging to the Netherlands and located in the Caribbean, has approved a plan to completely cull vervet monkeys, as the invasive species has become a growing nuisance.
Nature NGO St. Martin’s company will capture and eliminate at least 450 monkeys of this species over the next three years, according to an agreement reached with the government.
Founder explained Martin Nature Foundation Leslie Hickerson points out:Species monitoring is an important aspect of maintaining the health of the island for future generations,” the data said to the newspaper Watchman.
Although the exact number of vervet monkeys on the island is not known, it is believed that in recent years this species has been breeding extensively, and a new survey is being conducted. The latest data collected by the NGO shows this in 2020 About 450 primates inhabited the island.
“The number of monkeys in Sint Maarten will continue to increase if measures are not taken and the consequences for ecosystems will be severe,” the organization warned, noting that farmers have complained of attacks on their farms destroying their livelihoods.
Although the government’s decision was taken, the matter is controversial because many argue that it is possible to control the population through sterilization and environmental management. The head of the Macaco-Vervet Foundation is one of those who argue the procedure is no longer appropriate, and advocate for more effective and safer male vasectomies and female sterilization.
As for There are no limits to the animals that breed in it Inconsistent with Humans The expert recommends conducting a study to find out what foods are recommended for monkeys and how they are distributed. “They have to determine where, how and what foods attract them and understand what areas they can use in the wild without interfering with their lives,” he explained.
Vervet monkeys are a very sociable primate species and have a habit of invading the space of humans. Although it is normal From southern and eastern Africa, they also live on some Caribbean islands, such as St. Kitts and Nevis, where the population has grown to tens of thousands in recent years.
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