Hua Hin Municipality has launched the latest phase of its ongoing macaque sterilisation programme, marking the seventh consecutive year of efforts to control the macaque population in the area. The programme is being carried out as part of a collaboration between the Hua Hin Municipality and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation.
Mr. Nopporn Wuttikul, Mayor of Hua Hin, was joined by Mr. Sanphop Ungratsami, a municipal council member, Mr. Jeerawat Pramanee, the municipal clerk, and Mr. Sutthiphong Phasurat, acting head of the municipal clerk’s office, as well as officials from the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, in visiting the Monkey Garden community to oversee the first day of this year’s sterilisation efforts. The project aims to sterilise a total of 150 macaques in the Hua Hin Municipality area for the 2024 fiscal year.
The sterilisation procedures are being conducted at Wat Busayabanphot (Khao Ton Ngiew) under the supervision of Mr. Surasak Anumethangkool, Director of the Wildlife Conservation Division, along with veterinarians from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation, and other related officials.
Mayor Nopporn emphasised that the sterilisation is part of a continuous strategy to manage the macaque population. He, along with his team, closely monitored the project, and officials from the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department also observed the methods used by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation for macaque capture.
Looking ahead, Hua Hin Municipality plans to upgrade the birdcages on Hin Lek Fai Hill to serve as holding facilities for macaques, similar to the existing dog shelter used for captured dogs. While sterilisation is a crucial part of the population control strategy, it will be complemented by additional measures to reduce the impact of macaques on local communities.
The mayor acknowledged that sterilisation alone may not fully prevent macaques from causing disturbances in residential areas, particularly as natural food sources dwindle. To address this, the Department of National Parks will eventually take over the construction of monkey cages in suitable locations, aiming to manage the macaque population without causing further disruptions.
Hua Hin Municipality, in cooperation with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation, assured the public that all efforts are being made to minimise the impact of macaques on the community and to resolve the issue effectively.