Environmentalists yesterday (16) pointed out that there are no legal provisions under the Flora and Fauna Ordinance to export the endemic toque monkeys without special circumstances mentioned in the Ordinance.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Environmentalist Dr. Jagath Gunawardena said that the purpose behind the Government’s decision to appoint a committee to study the possibility of exporting Toque monkeys, was inconceivable. 

“The existing legal provisions only allow animal export for conservation purposes or as part of an exchange program with a zoological garden. The export of animals for meat or scientific study is completely illegal under these provisions,” Dr. Gunawardena said.

He also said that the Government must take into account factors such as the selection process for the number of monkeys to be exported, and the suitability of conditions for the monkeys in China, however they must base their decisions on scientific studies and facts.

“Toque monkeys are endemic to Sri Lanka and they can be found more in dry and wet zones. However Toque monkeys are not a protected species under Section 30 of the Flora and Fauna Ordinance. It is possible for a farmer to kill or injure Toque monkeys if they damage crops. Toque monkeys have been identified as a species which damage crops. But it is not a case to export these endemic animals to Sri Lanka,” he stressed.

However, responding to a question about the plan to appoint a committee to study the request for 100,000 Toque monkeys from China, Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera said that there was no decision taken as the committee has not yet been appointed. Minister Amaraweera said that the proposed committee will study the proposal from China.

The Ministry of Agriculture had recently stated that the toque macaque population of the country is close to three million at present. This number is disputed by some conservationists. A survey conducted by the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agricultural Training and Research Institute has confirmed that the highest intensity, or severity, of crop damage has been reported due to toque macaques. According to surveys conducted in 250 agricultural development areas, toque macaques have caused complete damages to crops in 110 areas, severe damages in 235 areas and partial damages in 155 areas.

The toque macaque is listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature due to habitat destruction and hunting, and also for the pet trade. Much of the original forested habitat of the toque macaque has been lost between 1956 and 1993. Plantations and deforestation have been the main drivers of habitat loss.