Vet Services Dept urged to expedite acquisition of anaesthetic drug to address wild monkey threat at Stampin Resettlement Scheme

APM officers administer treatment on a resident who sustained injuries after an attack by a wild monkey at Stampin Resettlement Scheme recently.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, July 10: Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak has been urged to urgently look into the procurement of an anaesthetic drug to capture wild monkeys following recent reports of residents in Stampin Resettlement Scheme being attacked by wild animals, including snakes.

Michael Kong, a special assistant to Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen, pointed out that a resident who was recently attacked by a wild monkey and required hospital treatment underscored the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action.

“We have been informed that the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) had placed orders for the ‘Zoletil’ drug, a medication necessary to administer anaesthesia to the wild monkeys so that they can be safely captured.

“However, despite the purchase order being made as early as March 2024, the drug has yet to be received. This prolonged delay is simply unacceptable,” he said in a statement today.

Photos of wild animals including snakes and monkeys spotted at Stampin Resettlement Scheme.

Kong emphasised that it is imperative that the procurement of ‘Zoletil’ be expedited to enable SFC to effectively manage and resolve the problem of wild animals posing a threat to Stampin Resettlement Scheme residents.

After receiving reports from residents along Lorong 8 at Stampin Resettlement Scheme about wild monkeys and snakes entering their homes in early June, Sarawak DAP immediately forwarded the issue to the Civil Defense Force (APM).

While a team was despatched by SFC, Kong learnt that their efforts have so far yielded no results.

“The safety and well-being of the community must be a priority, and such delays in addressing critical public safety concerns are not tolerable.

“We urge the DVS to take immediate action to ensure that the necessary resources are made available without further delay,” he said. — DayakDaily