The monkeys in Teluk Cempedak beach in Kuantan are said to turn aggressive when their demand for food is not met. PIC BY MUHAMMAD ASYRAF SAWAL
The monkeys in Teluk Cempedak beach in Kuantan are said to turn aggressive when their demand for food is not met. PIC BY MUHAMMAD ASYRAF SAWAL

MONKEYS in Teluk Cempedak beach, Kuantan are becoming a nuisance. Some have reportedly turned aggressive when demanding for food from beachgoers.

Visitors said their families are intimidated as the monkeys would snatch their belongings when their demand for food is not met.

Syazzana Zulkofli, 23, a local who frequents Teluk Cempedak, said the monkeys have become bold and no longer fear humans.

“The animals see humans as providers of food and once this ‘privilege’ is denied, they will attack anyone within their reach. The monkeys pose a danger to visitors, especially children.

“The monkeys are also a nuisance as they would rummage through rubbish bins and make a mess of the surroundings.”

She hoped the authorities would catch and relocate the monkeys.

Checks by the NST revealed that the monkeys were especially active in the evenings when it was cooler as more visitors arrived to take a stroll on the beach.

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State Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) director Ahmad Azahar Mohammed said the department had placed signboards to warn visitors not to make contact with the monkeys or feed them.

“We are aware of the situation but unfortunately, some visitors continue to ignore the warning and feed the monkeys,” he said, adding that Perhilitan had set up traps to control the monkey population in Teluk Cempedak.

“We hope visitors will stop feeding the monkeys to avoid any untoward incident,” he added.