Monkeys Attracted to the Rubbish

Comment from a Reader:


Yes, the monkeys were here before all of us and we should be pleased that Subic Bay is one of the few places where wild monkeys can still be seen in the Philippines (but we have the Americans to thank for that).

And I agree that there is an issue, but the issue is with the humans and not the monkeys. The principal problem, as I see it, is with domestic rubbish (garbage) which provides a food source for the monkeys. It's not unusual to see them patrolling on collection day because being superb opportunists they soon learn when to take advantage. Of course, if they were denied access to the rubbish then they wouldn't bother with it and would confine their activities to the fruit on the trees.

However, there are a considerable number of residents within Subic who just don't seem to be bright enough to make the connection that if you place your rubbish in open top bins or even worse, in plastic sacks, then the monkeys will rifle through it all and scatter your rubbish all over the place. Really, it seems to me that the monkeys are considerably brighter than some of the residents.

Once a food source has been provided the monkeys will then start to look for it, even if that means raiding houses.

Even more serious are those that actively encourage the monkeys and feed them. I've not seen or experienced this myself but I believe it goes on.

If the SBMA really wanted to make a difference and improve the monkey/resident relationship they could start by ruthlessly enforcing the rules and fining those who fail to properly secure their rubbish. But we all know that's not going to happen.

It's the humans that need controlling, not the monkeys