Mar 06 - Government Claims GSD Ape Management was In-effective
In response to the GSD’s recent statement regarding the Government’s Ape management plan the Government has claimed that the GSD has clearly lost their way in trying to discredit them at every opportunity.
Commenting on their plan to sound loud noises in some of the areas of Gibraltar found to be most popular amongst the Barbary Macaques, the Government notes, ‘While macaques and baboons (on which noise has been tried as a deterrent) seem to acclimatize rapidly to automated sonic disturbance, they do not to harassment by people using sonic means. The latter is the method being used, with some success already.
The idea is to make the monkeys uncomfortable in all the built-up areas, and not to allow them to settle in alternative ones, as the GSD Opposition environment spokesman, Jaime Netto, curiously seems to be suggesting.
This is just one of several strategies being implemented in coming weeks, which will also see increased monitoring of the macaques to clearly establish their movements, which will help to better deal with management issues.’
The Ministry for Health and the Environment insists that the Opposition ‘is clearly calling for full-scale killing of Gibraltar macaques’. The go on to note that Gibraltar faced wide ranging negative publicity last time culling took place. ‘Indeed, despite the culling, and as predicted by the experts, the macaques were back in built up areas within months as other groups moved in to fill the gaps.’
The Government statement goes on to add that it is a shame that the GSD is failing to support the Government’s efforts.
