Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY.
by Joseph D. Scott
Recently the present Minister of Agriculture in Barbados advised the population to call the Ministry of Agriculture if monkeys were sighted. He explained that they will be captured and taken to the Wildlife Reserve.
I may be incorrect, but as far as I know, the Wildlife Reserve does not have the capacity or facilities to restrict the movement of monkeys, or stop them from roaming. Furthermore, if citizens call the Ministry on seeing these animals, the phone lines would be jammed, due to the enormity of calls.
From a window of our home in St. George, about forty (40) monkeys are sighted every day. Monkeys and birds are vitally important for the spreading of beneficial seeds in gullies and other places where farmers have no interest, or do not venture.
Bees, some other insects, humming birds and yellow-breasts are essential for pollination. If for any reason there is a global kill-off of bees, our planet may suffer an apocalyptic famine. Interdependence. Though important, I doubt monkeys fall into this category. Their numbers have exploded far beyond a safe level.
I have personally witness monkeys raiding the nest of birds. Yes, there is a delicate interconnectivity of our local fauna and flora, both terrestrial and marine. There are natural checks and balances. When this interconnectivity is somehow disrupted, our way of life is impacted and our food security may be threatened.
Back in the 1960s, we as small children saw monkeys only when we were taken to Queen’s Park, to see them in a large cage. That was great excitement and entertainment in those pre-internet days.
Monkeys ARE NOT indigenous to Barbados! They are an invasive species, with no natural predators. Invasive species can negatively impact the variety of life in Barbados at all its levels, from genes to ecosystems, and can encompass the evolutionary, ecological, and cultural processes that sustain life.
The Barbados Green Monkey is originally from Senegal and Gambia, West Africa and was brought to these shores some 350 years ago, or about seven generations ago. The Barbados green monkey (Chlorocebus) has a thick fur that is brownish-grey in colour with specks of yellow and olive green. The face, hands, and feet are black and hairless with bluish abdominal skin.
(https://barbados.org/monkeys.htm#.Yvuy HbMJAE)
As a result of environmental differences and evolution, the Barbados monkeys today have different characteristics than those in West Africa.
(https://barbados.org/monkeys.htm#.Yvuy HbMJAE) “Invasive alien species, such as the Giant African Snail, the Lionfish and rats, are threats and can impact negatively on small island developing states such as those in the Caribbean, which are widely recognized as biodiversity hotspots.
Minister of Environment and National Beautification, Trevor Prescod, pointed this out today, as he delivered the feature address at the Regional Inception Workshop for the “Preventing Costs of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in Barbados and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States” Project.
The Convention on Biological Diversity defines invasive alien species as “plants, animals, pathogens and other organisms that are non-native to an ecosystem, and which may cause economic or environmental harm or adversely affect human health”.
“It has long been known that the Caribbean Islands are rich hotspots of biodiversity with unique fauna and flora. The protection and conservation of these treasures must become one of our governments’ highest priorities,” he said.
Minister Prescod also stated that since IAS were one of the major threats to biological diversity and their associated costs are equally borne by multiple sectors, it is time that this problem was addressed at a policy level.”
(By Sheena Forde-Craigg | Sep 26, 2018 BGIS) “We have great regard for animal welfare, but human life and safety must take precedence,” the head of Norway’s fisheries directorate, Frank Bakke-Jensen
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Barbados had a problem with stray dogs, and the government organized a cull. They were euthanided and their bodies incinerated at the Animal Nutrition Unit/Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory on Pine Plantation Road.
Every developed and developing country with a responsible government will put the security of its people first. We should not have to euthanize and incinerate monkeys. An enterprising entrepreneur with the financial means can establish a dog and cat food processing plant, using hygienically slaughtered monkeys, thus cutting back on pet food imports.
Or find ways to export them to other countries which may have a demand and are willing to pay us for them.So far we in Barbados have had ‘a lotta long talk’ on food security, from various Ministers of Agriculture for over thirty years.
The masses always suffer, during a food crisis or an economic downturn. The upper middle class and above can and often shop overseas, bringing back large amounts of foodstuff to last several months.
It takes a brave Customs Officer to bring down the hammer on a senior government officer or a government minister. The lower income man has to sell his drawers to pay duties on a few items of foodstuff in a barrel.
I quote again: “We have great regard for animal welfare, but human life and safety must take precedence,” the head of Norway’s fisheries directorate, Frank Bakke-Jensen
Joseph D. Scott is a retired laboratory technician and has a deep interest in natural living and the environment.
