Relocation of Bareilly monkeys to Pilibhit Tiger Reserve stalled over wildlife concerns

A plan to relocate monkeys captured from residential areas of Bareilly to the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve has hit a roadblock for want of a suitable release site and concerns about the spread of infectious diseases among wildlife officials said on FridayThe reserve administration has objected to releasing monkeys from outside the protected forest area citing potential risks to wildlife and the natural ecosystemThe Bareilly Municipal Corporation had planned to capture the monkeys conduct health examinations and release them at a suitable location It wrote to the chief conservator of forests in Bareilly on September 29 seeking help in identifying an appropriate siteChief Conservator of Forests P Singh said monkeys living in urban areas frequently come into contact with humans and depend on garbage or food provided by peopleReleasing such monkeys into a forest environment can alter their behaviour and feeding habits and affect the natural ecosystem If they are carrying an infectious disease there is also a risk of transmission to other wildlife he said adding that releasing animals from outside into the protected Pilibhit Tiger Reserve was not appropriateA senior scientist in the wildlife department at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute A M Pawde said monkeys could transmit diseases such as tuberculosis to wildlifeContact with the saliva faeces urine or other bodily secretions of infected monkeys could increase infection risk he said stressing that health screening and identification of a suitable release site were necessary before relocating them to any forest areaPilibhit Divisional Forest Officer Manish Singh also expressed concern that the sudden arrival of urban monkeys could disrupt the natural food cycleUnlike monkeys accustomed to forests those captured from residential areas might struggle to adapt to the new environment he saidTheir presence could also damage bird nests and rare vegetation he addedBareilly Divisional Forest Officer Diksha Bhandari said animals captured in urban areas could not simply be released into forest areas and that a decision on identifying a suitable natural habitat was still pendingMunicipal Commissioner Sanjeev Kumar Maurya said the municipal corporation was responsible for capturing the monkeys while the animal husbandry department was responsible for examining their health No permission had so far been received to release them in the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve he said adding that the forest department would have to identify a suitable siteThe municipal corporation will seek the formation of a joint committee at the district magistrates level comprising officials from the forest department municipal corporation and animal husbandry departmentThe proposed committee will decide on the capture of monkeys their medical examination selection of an appropriate location and arrangements for their safe relocationThe plan remains on hold until a suitable site is identified and the concerns regarding wildlife safety are addressed officials saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever