The government’s initiative to capture and sterilize the Toque Macaque has encountered significant delays, with the project currently stalled due to a lack of resources. The Giritale Sterilization Center is reportedly facing a shortage of veterinarians, transportation, and other necessary facilities to carry out the plan.
Deputy Minister of Buddhism, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Chairman of the Matale District Coordination Committee, Gamagedara Dissanayake, confirmed at a recent committee meeting that the project has been put on hold due to these logistical challenges. Matale Crop Conservation Association Chairman, D.M.B. Daudasekera, emphasized that the project should be properly formalized, with necessary steps taken to address these issues for it to succeed in the long term.
However, environmental experts have raised concerns that sterilization may not be the effective solution that authorities expect. Leading environmentalist Nayanaka Ranwella argued that sterilizing Toque Macaques, whether male or female, could inadvertently exacerbate the problem. He pointed out that sterilization could extend the macaques’ lifespan, causing them to live longer and potentially cause more damage to crops as they continue searching for food. According to Ranwella, if a macaque’s natural lifespan is around 10 years, sterilization could allow it to live for another 10 years, thus increasing its potential for crop destruction.
Ranwella suggested that a more effective way to manage the macaque population and reduce their impact would be through better waste management practices. He noted that improper disposal of food waste encourages macaques to venture into villages in search of food, exacerbating human-wildlife conflict. Proper disposal of leftovers could help reduce the frequency of these visits and mitigate the macaques’ reliance on human food sources.
As the project remains in limbo, the debate continues on whether sterilization is the right approach, with many calling for more sustainable, long-term solutions.
