Sri Lanka's Proposal to Export Endangered Toque Macaques Sparks Controversy

Sri Lanka’s Minister of Agriculture, Mahinda Amaraweera, announced the government’s consideration of a proposal from a Chinese company to export 100,000 toque macaque monkeys for 1,000 zoos in China. However, environmentalists and cultural advocates have raised concerns, pointing out that toque macaques are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List, and Sri Lanka is their natural habitat. Furthermore, monkeys hold cultural significance in Sri Lanka, particularly within Hindu mythology, where Hanuman, the monkey god, is a revered figure. Buddhists also oppose the mass export, as it conflicts with their principles of compassion for all living beings. Many Sri Lankans are skeptical of the claim that the monkeys are meant for zoos, fearing they might be used in scientific experiments or for food, given that toque macaques are often traded internationally for research purposes.

Amaraweera defended the proposal by stating that the country’s toque macaque population, estimated at 3 million, causes significant agricultural damage, destroying nearly 100 million coconuts annually, resulting in losses of $19.3 million. Total crop damage is estimated at $87.5 million. Despite the implementation of legal measures allowing farmers to cull crop-damaging wildlife, efforts to reduce the monkey population have largely failed. Environmentalists, however, warn against indiscriminate culling, arguing that while monkeys may be a nuisance to farmers, they play an essential role in maintaining ecological balance, and unscientific culling could have harmful long-term consequences.

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