BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE complaints of farmers about the destruction to their crops and livestock caused by monkeys were heeded and the Minister of Agriculture has declared that plans are afoot to assist them by lessening the monkey population.
For many years, farmers have voiced their grievances, explaining that they have suffered tremendously at the hands of the vervet monkey which would constantly and consistently enter their farming area and consume and or destroy their crops.
These farmers have indicated that they have had to resort to using guard dogs or erecting makeshift scarecrows with the hope that the monkeys would be deterred from executing their destructive enterprise.
Appearing last week on the Government’s radio programme ‘Working for You’, Minister of Agriculture the Hon. Eugene Hamilton said the Government has devised a plan that would see the monkey population being reduced between 100-200 per month. This, he said, would give the farmers some ease.
“We have decided to do some entrapment. It is true that there are many people doing many things, people with electrical wires and fencing and so on, but the Ministry of Agriculture has sought to join with persons who are already trapping monkeys. And over the next year or so, the concerted effort to reduce the population of monkeys out there, we believe that we can reduce it by at least 100, maybe to 200 per month and give the farmers an opportunity to get a breather in growing their crops.
“We’ve put something in motion and that would be a consistent concerted effort to ensure that the population of monkeys is reduced and give the farmers a break.”
Minister Hamilton did not indicate what would be done with the monkeys after they are caught, but suggestions made include preparing the meat for human consumption.
Monkey meat, also known in local jargon as “tree mutton”, has gained popularity over the past years and has been featured at the annual food fairs organised by the Department of Agriculture.
The monkeys have also become a popular attraction to cruise tourists entering our country. A few individuals have caught a couple of the animals, trained them and earn a living by inviting tourists to have their picture taken with the monkeys for a fee.
