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Sri Lanka to establish first monkey detention centre in Matale
By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama
Colombo, Feb. 11 (Daily Mirror) - The Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) has identified a site near the Kaluganga Reservoir in the Matale District for the construction of Sri Lanka’s first-ever monkey detention centre.
Wildlife Conservation Officer Chamath Lakshman Perera told the Daily Mirror that the proposed centre will be developed on 150 acres of land and will feature facilities for water, food, and security. The project has been recommended by the Department of Wildlife Conservation and has received approval from the Matale District Development Committee.
“The centre will be constructed with strong safety measures to prevent monkeys from escaping back into the wild. The selected area reportedly has sufficient natural food, and additional provisions will be supplied if required. This proposal aims to capture monkeys living in Matale town, which have been causing trouble for residents. The herd will be safely captured and transferred to the detention centre,” Perera explained.
In addition, female monkeys will undergo a novel procedure involving a small-sized loop implanted in the uterus to prevent pregnancy, effectively controlling the monkey population. Perera added that he plans to establish nine monkey detention centres across the country’s nine provinces, as moving monkeys between provinces is challenging due to climate considerations.
Monkeys residing within Matale’s protected areas will remain in their natural habitat, while those causing disruptions in town areas will be relocated to the new centre.
The project is set to be implemented as a pilot initiative and will serve as a research basis in Matale. Perera noted that similar monkey detention centres are already operational in several countries, including Malaysia.
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