Nov 22 - GSD Concerned Over Macaque Reports
The GSD has this afternoon claimed that they receive continuing reports from members of the public about Barbary Macaques roaming into urban areas. An Opposition statement on the matter read, ‘Worryingly, some of these reports are about macaques in children’s playgrounds. In a particular incident in the Moorish Castle Estate playground, a pack of macaques were fighting aggressively between themselves in their search for food within the refuse containers nearby.
On another occasion, an adult macaque in the playground opposite the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, jumped onto a pram where a baby slept in order to snatch food from a bag on the pram. This incident naturally caused great stress and anxiety to the mother of the baby, as she obviously and quite naturally felt threatened by the actions of the macaque.
‘The GSD Opposition is concerned that, whilst a serious accident is just waiting to happen, Minister Cortes’ answer to this on-going problem is simply to ‘make noises’, refer the matter to experts in order to tell him what to do and to blame and insult the Opposition for having the temerity to raise this matter of genuine public concern. It is regrettable that Minister Cortes doesn’t seem to know what to do after more than 20 years writing about Macaques and advising previous GSLP and GSD Governments on the matter. His lack of action has exposed him wanting in dealing with the problem: the Minister for the Environment is subrogating the safety, security and tranquillity of our citizens to the protection of mischievous macaques roaming wild in the city, bringing fear and nervousness to the daily lives of many in this community.
‘Since this Government took office, the Minister has talked the talk but is yet to walk the walk in relation to the exportation of macaques and the effectiveness of novel contraceptive methods announced by him. Meanwhile, the macaque population continues to grow, having already outgrown its natural habitat a long time ago. As a result, macaques continue to roam urban areas outside the reserve and Minister Cortes should stop hiding behind experts and act decisively now before a terrible incident happens.’
