I for one will not return to Sint Maarten if in fact they capture and kill all these monkeys. I might be able to tolerate a feral sterization, but killing them is too much for me to tolerate. I cant think of anything cruel about the friendly island, but this. Liliana
Not sure why you posted this here, versus responding to the old thread. You are certainly entitled to your opinion. I am a member of the ASPCA, the HSUS and the WWF, so I am not unsympathetic to animal issues. However, in this case, it does appear that these animals are a threat to the community and there doesn't appear to be another way to resolve it, based on experience on other islands.
I understand but unfortunately the people in Gov that make the policies could care less if you return. They still are going to live very well. The people that do care if you return are the hotels, restaurants etc that depend on tourist to feed their families. Seems a little drastic plus SXM is still an amazing place to vacation so who's really losing out? Ask someone on ST KITTS about Monkeys and what they do. IMO
I understand but unfortunately the people in Gov that make the policies could care less if you return. They still are going to live very well. The people that do care if you return are the hotels, restaurants etc that depend on tourist to feed their families. Seems a little drastic plus SXM is still an amazing place to vacation so who's really losing out? Ask someone on ST KITTS about Monkeys and what they do. IMO
You really need mot venture to St. Kitts to discover the devastation these creatures can create as it’s already happening on SXM. There was a time when the monkeys were few and far between but they appear to be over-sexed and quite prolific and their numbers have escalated drastically.
As many trips as we’ve made over the years to our beloved island I have only once seen a monkey on the island and it was one monkey one time,, at a property in the Cupecoy area (that no longer exists, btw…..) and it almost became one of the features of the property along with the properties’ beautiful pool views and the number of kitties that used to populate the property on a regular basis.
That said, talk to the people who live on the island and have their gardens devastated each season; to the best of my knowledge, the monkeys are not too much of a problem in the most developed areas of the island so I question the effects they might have on tourism in general, but if I were growing fruits and foodstuffs only to see them destroyed season after season, I wouldn’t be happy about it. And as an island resident who takes pride in the beautification of their properties, I would NOT be at all happy with the mess they can and do make. I think I’d want them gone, too, and I doubt they’d volunteer to come in for voluntary sterilization! 🙂🙂
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
Pat--well said. Locals are the ones who are being damaged by these creatures, not necessarily tourists. I know of one local person that has had many crops destroyed and several animals killed by monkeys, and he kills them on sight. Ask any local person for their thoughts on the subject. And the cost for sterilization really makes that not an answer.
Reminds me of "chilled monkey brains" in the Raiders of Lost Arc movie. I'll pass on any monkey eating but I get the pest situation, probably going to take a while however as somebody has to figure out how they will make a chunk of money for solving the problem.
I find TTOL to be a great resource for SXM. I find it abhorrent that humans are looking at these primates with opposable thumbs that live in familial groups who are just looking for food as pests that must be EXTERMINATED. It is not their fault they are on SXM competing for food sources. They were brought from Africa. They are old world monkeys. Perhaps the New world humans need to find a way to deal with them short of extermination. Just not right.
I find TTOL to be a great resource for SXM. I find it abhorrent that humans are looking at these primates with opposable thumbs that live in familial groups who are just looking for food as pests that must be EXTERMINATED. It is not their fault they are on SXM competing for food sources. They were brought from Africa. They are old world monkeys. Perhaps the New world humans need to find a way to deal with them short of extermination. Just not right.
Get over it. Unless you live there then you don't know what the locals really go through dealing with these pests.
On Nevis they outnumber humans by a factor of two. That's approximately.25,000 of these pesky critters. Farmers must maintain.electric fences to protect their crops.
A few tears ago we came to know a young woman who originally came to SXM from St. Kitts and in chatting with her one evening she told us about how, as a fairly young child, she was jumped on by a velvet monkey and how to the present day she is still terrified of them. I’m pretty sure that type of ‘monkeying around’ is not the normal behavior but it certainly left a very lasting impression on her. Thankfully, her Daddy was there to take care of her…….
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
Oyster Pond Road has its share of these monkeys and the long sidewalk is also a popular walking trail for many locals. Almost all of them carry a stick with them to fend off both monkeys and dogs.
Get over it. Unless you live there then you don't know what the locals really go through dealing with these pests. [/quote] well put scuba!! people only see their side of the discussion
Yep, many suburbs around us hire "sharp-shooters" to control the deer population in parks and other areas that are a problem. They have tried the sterilization but it appears to not work that well. Another problem around here is Canadian Geese and they are protected so nothing can be done other than methods to scare them away and they go to another food and water source.
Video showing foster motherhood amongst these primates. Definitely not akin to a deer herd culling. These primates are looking for food. They live in troops. How do you all feel about Gorillas? Ah,they are in Africa not our beloved island. But what if they were? Same views?
"Perhaps a Monkeyworld like Parrotworld." You've got to be kidding me. They are talking about eliminating an infestation of pests. Not just a few to look at in a compound.
Monkey problem in SXM and other islands is similar to the python problem in the Florida Everglades. Invasive, non-native species that is damaging the native plants and wildlife.
I find TTOL to be a great resource for SXM. I find it abhorrent that humans are looking at these primates with opposable thumbs that live in familial groups who are just looking for food as pests that must be EXTERMINATED. It is not their fault they are on SXM competing for food sources. They were brought from Africa. They are old world monkeys. Perhaps the New world humans need to find a way to deal with them short of extermination. Just not right.
Get over it. Unless you live there then you don't know what the locals really go through dealing with these pests.
I wrote a big long reply about what we are literally dealing with right now in Colombier (where I'm currently visiting my parents who will talk your ear off about the damage these monkeys are doing). But Scuba said it with less words.
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