By DPA
Singapore : A cook was fined 4,000 Singapore dollars ($2,800) for feeding monkeys in a nature reserve, the steepest fine ever handed out for the offence in the city-state, news reports said Thursday.
Panneerselvam Arunasalam admitted that he had fed the animals bread on Aug 5 last year.
Feeding monkeys endangers both the animals and humans, National Parks Board prosecutor M. Maniam told the court, according to The Straits Times.
“It alters the monkeys’ natural behaviour adversely, as it makes them reliant on humans for food instead of foraging for food on their own in the forest,” Maniam was quoted as saying.
The monkeys then tend to behave more aggressively towards children, he said.
A park ranger spotted Panneerselvam, 46, feeding the animals, though the area has many signs warning people against the practice.
Doling out food has become more prevalent. Maniam said there were 157 cases last year, compared to 142 in 2006.