Latest news with #Perhilitan
The Star
21 hours ago
- The Star
Peka: Where's the monkey?
Animal cruelty: Rajesh (right) and Dr Kartini say no update has been given about the monkey's health nor its whereabouts. PETALING JAYA: Following public outrage over a viral video showing a monkey being spray-painted, the Association for the Protection of the Natural Heritage of Malaysia (Peka) is demanding transparency regarding the animal's condition and current custody. Peka president Rajesh Nagarajan expressed concern over the silence surrounding the case, questioning which authority is in charge of the monkey and its current wellbeing. 'Where is the monkey? What is its condition? Why hasn't anyone come forward to clarify its whereabouts?' Rajesh said at a press conference yesterday. 'Is it under the care of Perhilitan? The Animal Welfare Board? Or another agency? Whoever is responsible must come forward and provide an update.' He said the video, which triggered widespread emotional reactions nationwide, has become a matter of public concern. 'Malaysians are deeply invested in this case, and they deserve answers. 'We also want to know why the person seen abusing the animal hasn't been charged. What is the justification?' he added. Peka vice-president Dr Kartini Rahim also questioned the lack of action against the individual shown in the video. A video grab showing the monkey being spray painted. 'The video clearly shows a monkey being sprayed with paint while confined in a cage. We still don't know why the monkey was captured, whether it did anything to warrant such treatment, or what condition it is in now,' she said. Dr Kartini warned that the use of paint on animals can cause serious harm. 'The chemicals in paint are toxic. They can damage the skin, cause burns, and trigger respiratory issues. The act also induces severe stress, potentially altering the monkey's behaviour and making it more aggressive,' she added. The incident was captured in a video showing a man spraying blue paint directly onto the monkey inside a cage. Animal welfare activists and the public have since called for firm action. Last week, Sungai Buloh OCPD Supt Mohd Hafiz Muhammad Nor confirmed that a police report was lodged at 2.10am on Saturday by a veterinary officer from the Petaling district in response to the viral clip. The Star has reached out to the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) for comment and is awaiting a response.
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Haul man who spray-painted monkey to court, Perhilitan urged
A viral video of the incident showed a man spraying what appeared to be paint onto a monkey. PETALING JAYA : An animal rights lawyer has urged the wildlife and national parks department (Perhilitan) to swiftly charge the suspect who had allegedly spray-painted a monkey. Rajesh Nagarajan said the perpetrator should pay for his actions as the monkey, which appeared to be completely covered in blue paint in a viral video of the incident, may not be able to survive upon its release. 'The monkey would not be accepted by its pack anymore. If the monkey is a juvenile, it would not even be accepted by its mother, which means it's going to die upon release. 'The authorities need to take this issue seriously and charge the individual over his actions because it is a terrible crime,' he told FMT. Rajesh, who leads the environmental NGO Peka, also said the paint used may be toxic, which would cause immense pain to the monkey and potentially even lead to its death. A one-minute video of the incident showed a man spraying what appeared to be paint onto a monkey. Perhilitan later arrested the suspect on May 24 to be investigated for animal cruelty, which is punishable by a RM5,000 to RM50,000 fine, up to a year in jail, or both, upon conviction. But there have been no updates on the case since the suspect was released on police bail the same day. Rajesh also expressed frustration over his failed attempts to request for information on the case from Perhilitan. 'I called Perhilitan several times before I finally got in touch with the investigating officer yesterday. But when I asked for an update, the officer told me to write to the director,' he said. He urged Perhilitan to be transparent about its investigation and to provide timely updates, citing public concern in the case following the viral video. 'We want to know where the monkey is. Has the monkey been given medical treatment? What's going on now?' he said, also urging the Animal Welfare Board to speak out on the incident.
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
‘Where is the monkey?': Peka demands accountability and answers over Shah Alam animal abuse case
PETALING JAYA: The Association for the Protection of the Natural Heritage of Malaysia (Peka) has demanded answers from the authorities over the fate of a monkey seen doused in blue spray paint in a viral video that sparked public outrage last week. Peka president Rajesh Nagarajan raised alarm over the silence surrounding the case, questioning which agency currently has custody of the animal and what condition it is in. 'Where is the monkey? What is its current condition? Why is there no answer from anyone on its whereabouts? 'Is it with Perhilitan? Is it with the Animal Welfare Board or somewhere else? The people who have the monkey right now must speak up and give updates,' Rajesh said during a press conference here on Friday (May 30). He said the incident has become a matter of public interest, adding that 'the entire country saw the viral video and so many Malaysians are now emotionally invested in this case.' 'Everyone needs to know what is happening to the monkey. Who has it, and why are they keeping quiet? 'We also want to know why the perpetrator was not charged. What is the justification for this?' he added. Peka vice-president Dr Kartini Rahim also questioned the lack of action against the individual seen abusing the monkey in the video. 'The video that went viral recently shows a monkey being sprayed with paint. We don't know why the monkey was caught, what offence it committed or what its condition is now - all of this remains unknown,' she said. Dr Kartini warned that spraying paint on animals can cause serious harm. 'The chemicals are toxic and can damage the skin, cause burns, and trigger respiratory problems. 'The act itself also induces severe stress, potentially altering the monkey's behaviour and making it more aggressive,' she said. The now-viral incident was first highlighted in a video circulating on social media, showing a man spraying blue paint directly onto the monkey while it was confined in a cage. Animal rights activists and the public have since called for firm action. Last week, Sungai Buloh OCPD Supt Mohd Hafiz Muhammad Nor said a report was lodged at 2.10am on Saturday (May 24) by a veterinary officer from the Petaling district concerning the viral video. The Star has reached out to the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) and is awaiting a response.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
Johor Zoo beats the heat with blood ice cubes and fruit popsicles
JOHOR BAHRU - With the scorching heatwave, Johor Zoo has intensified health checks and implemented measures to protect the animals, which includes creative feeding, says a state executive councillor. Johor housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Jafni Shukor said the zoo focused on ensuring water sources are clean and sufficient, including for animals that rely on water to cool off, such as the Malayan tapir, tiger, hippopotamus and crocodile. 'Zookeepers are constantly monitoring and refilling pools to ensure the animals have access to sufficient water. It is a crucial step in helping wildlife regulate their body temperature during the extreme weather,' he said when contacted. The Bukit Permai assemblyman also said Johor Zoo has introduced creative feeding enrichments to help animals adapt to the hot conditions. He said carnivores are being provided with blood ice cubes while fruit eating species enjoy fruit popsicles made by the zookeepers. 'These treats help the animals at the zoo stay cool while keeping them mentally stimulated in their enclosures,' Mr Jafni said. He noted that health monitoring has been intensified with veterinarians and zoologists conducting regular checks on the animals to ensure their well-being. He said this is made with the support of the Johor Veterinary Department and the state Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan). 'Zookeepers are the frontliners in ensuring the animals' welfare. With the support of veterinary experts and relevant agencies, we are doing everything necessary to maintain the highest standards of care,' he said. Separately, Mr Jafni said that he recently carried out a working visit to Johor Zoo to inspect the ongoing second phase development plan for the 97-year-old zoo, which began earlier in May. He said the upgrades were part of a broader vision to position the zoo as a flagship tourism destination ahead of Visit Johor 2026. 'My visit was to ensure that all planning is on track to transform Johor Zoo into a major tourism hub for the state. 'With a total allocation of RM7 million (S$2.1 million), the second phase focuses on internal improvements. This includes upgrading animal enclosures, disability and stroller friendly pathways, as well as the development of a new night zoo, designed to offer a more interactive and engaging experience for visitors,' he said. Mr Jafni added that since its reopening on Aug 31, 2024, Johor Zoo has seen a remarkable increase in public interest. He said annual visitor numbers, which previously averaged around 400,000, have surged to an estimated one million over the past year. He said the jump in visitor numbers was something to be proud of, adding that it can help increase Johor Zoo's revenue from RM1.5 million to RM7 million annually. 'This is an extraordinary achievement, driven by visitor- friendly initiatives and infrastructure upgrades. As Malaysia's oldest zoo located in the heart of Johor Bahru, this transformation honours not only the zoo's legacy, but also the city's heritage. 'Enhanced facilities such as e-ticketing, shuttle bus services and more attractive zoning designs have contributed to its rising popularity, not only among locals but also international visitors, particularly from neighbouring Singapore,' he said. Mr Jafni added the state government is committed to positioning Johor Zoo as a must-visit attraction during Visit Johor 2026. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Kelantan wildlife captures two male elephants in Gua Musang
KOTA BHARU: The Kelantan Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) captured two wild elephants in Kampung Pulai, Gua Musang yesterday. State Perhilitan director Mohamad Hafid Rohani said the two elephants, both male, were captured following a report from villagers last Tuesday after the wild animals were seen roaming the area and damaging their crops. 'Acting on the complaint, seven members of the Kelantan Elephant Capture Unit (UTG) conducted surveillance and successfully captured the two elephants yesterday in the Kampung Pulai, Gua Musang orchard area. 'The capture of these wild elephants has somewhat brought relief to the residents, as well as prevented further losses due to the destruction of crops and property by pachyderm,' he said in a statement today. Mohamad Hafid said the operation to relocate and release the wild elephants to a more suitable and safe habitat will be carried out soon with the assistance of the Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre, Lanchang in Pahang. 'To reduce human-wildlife conflicts in the area, we have provided advisory services to residents, especially farmers, to take mitigation measures. 'They include installing blue LED lights on the path identified as the entrance route for wild elephants to the plantation, constantly cleaning the plantation and erecting an Elephant Electric Fence System (SPEG) around the plantation area,' he said. He said the public is also advised to be more careful and vigilant, and if they encounter wildlife, not to take any action on their own that could pose a safety hazard to themselves.
