Animal conservationists and wildlife experts in Galiyat are cautioning against the practice of feeding monkeys, warning that it could have detrimental effects on the wild population in the long term.
The warning comes in response to social media calls for donations to provide food for monkeys during a period when tourists are scarce.
While some posts encourage visitors to bring extra food for the monkeys, conservation experts stress the negative impact of this action.
Dr. Muhammad Kabir, a wildlife expert, explains that feeding monkeys disrupts their natural feeding patterns and can lead to dependency on humans for food, posing challenges for the wild population.
Muhammad Waseem, Manager of WWF Pakistan, emphasizes the importance of allowing animals to forage for food naturally in their habitat to maintain ecosystem balance.
Feeding monkeys, he says, can disrupt this balance and hinder their role in plant regeneration through seed dispersal.
Sajid Hussain, a Field Assistant at Common Leopard WWF-Pakistan, raises concerns about the rising incidents of monkey bites, which can increase the risk of rabies transmission.
He advocates for educational initiatives and the installation of signboards in Galiyat to raise awareness among tourists about the consequences of feeding wild animals.
Experts urge people to refrain from feeding monkeys in the wild to safeguard their natural behaviors and ensure the overall well-being of the animals and the ecosystem.
