Foreign visitors to the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap take pictures of the temple's resident monkeys. Advocates have warned of the dangers of increasing human interaction. Yousos Abdoulrashim
Sarah Kite, co-founder of UK-based advocacy group Action for Primates, speaks with The Post about the consequences of artificial feeding by tourists, existing regulations and potential solutions for managing human-monkey interactions in Cambodia.
Q: How has artificial feeding contributed to increased aggression in the monkeys?
Sarah Kite: Wild animals such as primates are typically fearful of people, but the feeding of macaques at Angkor Wat has habituated them to human presence. As a result, they are less fearful than normal and may grab or aggressively pursue people for food. Instead of foraging in the forests, they become dependent on food provided by tourists, exacerbating the problem.
Additionally, video operators feed monkeys, including babies, with large amounts of food and cartons of milk. Some even provide tours encouraging tourists to feed and engage with the monkeys. Food stalls and mobile vendors around the Angkor Wat complex further contribute to this issue by selling food specifically for feeding the monkeys.
Supplemental feeding leads to an unnatural increase in monkey populations, as the constant food supply boosts reproduction. This, in turn, increases their reliance on humans and raises the chances of negative interactions.
It is critical that people be discouraged from feeding the monkeys, making food easily available, or engaging with them. Strict enforcement of rules with penalties is necessary. For example, in Hong Kong, fines are imposed on those who feed wild monkeys and other animals.
Another major issue is the deliberate harassment of macaques by videographers who create social media content. These individuals follow, poke and disturb monkeys to generate “entertaining” footage, often seeking donations from viewers. Some even release pet monkeys into wild populations, exposing them to serious injury and death. Such activities create additional aggression and increase the risk of attacks on the public.
Q: Are there any existing regulations in Cambodia to protect wild macaques, and if so, how well are they enforced?
Sarah Kite: Article 49 of Cambodia’s Forestry Law strictly prohibits the hunting, harming or harassing of wildlife, including monkeys. It explicitly states that all forms of hunting, harming or harassment of wildlife using dangerous means are strictly forbidden.
Additionally, hunting is not allowed during the prohibited season, ensuring the protection of wildlife populations. The law also bans hunting in protected zones and special public areas, reinforcing the country’s commitment to wildlife conservation and environmental preservation.
Despite this law, video operators at Angkor Wat continue to harass monkeys, violating these regulations without consequence. The lack of enforcement by authorities remains a significant concern.
Further clarification is also needed regarding Cambodian legislation on keeping wild animals, such as monkeys, as pets. The long-tailed macaque’s conservation status was recently upgraded to “Endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), highlighting the urgency of stronger protections for these primates.
Q: Are there any successful models from other countries that Cambodia could adopt to manage human-monkey interactions?
Sarah Kite: Effective enforcement of rules is crucial. Penalties must be imposed on those who violate regulations, as seen in other countries.
Singapore’s Jane Goodall Institute runs a “Long-tailed Macaque Working Group” that implements successful initiatives, including a “No Feeding Campaign”. This programme aims to educate the public about the dangers of feeding monkeys and reduce human-wildlife conflicts.
Cambodia could adopt similar approaches, combining strict law enforcement with awareness campaigns to protect both the macaques and the public.
