ON my usual hike on Ipoh’s Kledang Hill, there’s a sense of calmness and security, with many people walking the trail without feeling threatened by wildlife, which is in rather close proximity. One sees monkeys along the road and swinging from the trees.

However, that sense of ease dissipated when a troop of monkeys gathered on the trail and attempted to attack me recently. I was lucky that there was a car nearby, and the driver told me to get in. He said he, too, was chased by the animals earlier.

In the course of looking into the issue, I was told that an individual had fed the monkeys, causing them to gather in that spot, expecting food. Walking further, I realised that there are no signboards stating feeding wildlife is prohibited.

This shows a degree of negligence on the part of local authorities. They should warn people against giving food to wildlife, as this may lead to hikers being harmed. Monkeys tend to gather wherever there’s food.

The Association for Community and Dialogue urges the authorities to erect signboards telling people there should be no contact between hikers and wildlife. Heavy fines should be imposed on those who defy the rule. There’s also a need for the authorities to conduct patrols.

It is hope that the authorities will urgently take action to protect hikers, as well as tourists from other states, who go to Kledang Hill. – July 27, 2020.

* Ronald Benjamin is secretary of the Association for Community and Dialogue.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.