Culprits responsible for the culling of a colony of about 50 monkeys at Bukit Gasing in Section 5 here last month should be punished, non-governmental organisations told The Malay Mail.
A mysterious group of some 15 shooters, armed with rifles, cages and voice recorders, slaughtered the monkeys — believed to be longtailed macaques, a protected specie — without approval from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan).
Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) president S.M. Mohd Idris said the shooters must be caught for what they did is unacceptable.
"The severest punishment must be imposed on the perpetrators for their inhuman action," he said.
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Malaysia's chief operating officer-cum-executive director Datuk Dr Dionysius Sharma said the butchery should never happen again.
"We urge the public with information on the culprits to contact the authorities, or even us."
Malaysian National Animal Welfare Foundation (MNAWF) president Shenaaz Khan called on Perhilitan to do more than just say the culling was not authorised.
"Perhilitan must make a more serious effort to conduct a speedy investigation on this shameful incident," he said.
Last week, The Paper That Cares reported the incident had been brought up to Perhilitan for investigation by Selangor state executive councillor for tourism, consumer affairs and the environment Elizabeth Wong, after the Taman Gasing Indah Residents Association highlighted the matter to Derek Fernandez, the counsellor for Petaling Jaya City Council.
Perhilitan Selangor director Rozidah Md Yassin said investigations were ongoing.
