The department of wildlife and national Parks (DWNP) appreciates the concerns highlighted by SM Mohd Idris of Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM), in his letter " Stop monkeying around with the monkeys ".

The long-tailed macaque is a protected species under the Protection of Wildlife Act 1972 (Act 76).

In accordance with the Act, any protected species can be caught, traded or kept as a pet but with a license issued by the DWNP.

Therefore, licences are issued by DWNP for the macaques to be kept as pets or in helping to sustain the livelihood of villagers.

The DWNP agrees with the concern raised by the writer and wish to inform that the department is in the process of reviewing the licences issued for macaques to be kept as pets in urban areas.

Apartments and industrial areas are not ideal places to keep macaques. However, licences will still be issued for villagers since macaques help them in plucking coconuts or betel (petai).

Finally, the DWNP would like to take this opportunity to invite NGOs, public institutions and the public to cooperate in creating awareness on keeping wildlife as pets and to act as the department's eyes and ears in preventing illegal keeping of wildlife.

Should any clarification be needed further, please do not hesitate to contact DWNP at [email protected].

The writer is responding on behalf of the secretary-general, Natural Resources and Environment Ministry.