Preventing Monkey Damage on Young OIL PALMS
Monkeys especially the long tail macaque can cause severe damage to young oil palms plantings. They tend to pull out young shoots. While pulling out the shoots the young fronds around are either twisted or broken. Sometimes the damage are so severe that the young palm will wither and cannot survive.
The fronds are tied together to prevent the monkeys from getting at the shoots. They can be tied at 2 or 3 levels depending on the height of the young palm. Wrapping the palms with zinc sheets are also helpful. Lately, the Star Papers reported that Perhilitan (Wildlife Department) culled 14,000 monkeys in 2021 and until March 2022 the figure was 2256.
Pictures show the damage and preventive measures.
