Kathmandu – August 22, 2010 – A group of 25 lawyers and animal welfare campaigner today held a demonstration against the random release of monkeys once destined for US labs. The demonstrators handed over a survey report of the release sites and a list of questions to a representative of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.
Demonstrators carrying monkey masks and play cards chanted slogans like ‘Stop wildlife dumping’, ‘Monitor and manage released monkeys’ and ‘Respect international laws and regulations’. The rally was organized by Roots and Shoots Nepal, Student Law Society and Animal Welfare Network Nepal (AWNN).
According to lawyer Sudeep Pokharel, Nepal, by randomly releasing captive monkeys at Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park has violated various internations regulations. Pokharel says he is disturbed by the fact that the government's actions result in the death and ill health of monkeys that were saved from a life of misery in US labs. “We want the government to develop a framework for the scientific and humane rehabilitation of wildlife, including monkeys,” Pokharel argues. The Student Law Society has filed a writ against the ad hoc release of the lab simians.
The demonstrators handed over the survey report ‘Death in the Forest’ and a list of questions to a spokesman of the Department. The report, published by AWNN, concludes that the random release of over 200 captive monkeys in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park has not only led to the death of at least 40 simians but has also greatly increased human-monkey conflict. The network urges the government to take immediate action.
According to Santosh Khatiwada from Roots and Shoots Nepal, the public has the right to know how many monkeys have been released when. “We demand answers to our questions, like why the government did not inform anyone about the releases, if any monitoring is taking place, the cause of death of around 40 monkeys, the health status of the surviving monkeys and how the problems faced by locals will be mitigated,” says Khatiwada.
The demonstration was held at a time when members of the Pashupatinath Area Development Trust claim that 100-150 monkeys have been released in Bhandarkhal forest near Gaushala. The monkeys are in bad health and create havoc in the community.
“The authorities are entirely to blame for the situation and the fate of the surviving monkeys lies in the hands of the authorities,” says Mahesh Sharma, campaign coordinator at AWNN.
The demonstrators worry that if no action is taken, crop raiding monkeys will be killed by locals. “The government opted against scientific release despite countless warnings from animal experts. The government must get its act together to prevent more monkey deaths and increased human-monkey conflict,” argues Sharma.