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Monkey Release Sparks Forest Health Fears
10 Oct
Summary
- Officials cite lack of permits for monkey release.
- Disease transmission risk to wildlife is a concern.
- Protected forest areas are off-limits for release.
Concerns are mounting among forest officials regarding a plan to release over 1,000 monkeys trapped in Bareilly into forest areas of Pilibhit and Shahjahanpur. Authorities from Pilibhit Tiger Reserve and Pilibhit forest division alerted range officers about the proposed release, which stems from a trapping drive ordered by Bareilly Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Neither the BMC nor the contractor has secured necessary permissions from forest authorities in Pilibhit or Shahjahanpur. Crucially, the absence of mandatory medical examinations before release poses a significant risk of disease transmission to native wildlife. Urban monkeys may carry pathogens like tuberculosis and hepatitis, potentially harming animals, including vulnerable leopards.
BMC officials stated that tagging and medical examinations were not part of the work order. They indicated the contractor is responsible for obtaining forest department permissions. However, Pilibhit Tiger Reserve officials confirmed that releasing trapped monkeys into protected or reserve forests is strictly prohibited.
Officials emphasized that any release must include medical checks and prior approval from the divisional forest officer. Forest rangers and staff will actively monitor for any unauthorized monkey releases in the designated forest areas.
