Indonesian Lawmakers Demand Control of Long-Tailed Monkey Population Amidst Crop Damage and Attacks

Lawmakers in Indonesia's House of Representatives are urging the Ministry of Forestry to implement measures to control the growing population of long-tailed monkeys. The call comes after a series of incidents where the animals have damaged farmland and attacked local residents.

“

If expert studies show that long-tailed monkeys are synanthropic animals that actually obtain high-calorie food sources from the human environment.

Johan Rosihan, a member of Commission IV, highlighted that these monkeys are "synanthropic animals," meaning they thrive by obtaining high-calorie food from human environments. He cited cases in Pacitan where monkey expansion led to crop destruction, including cassava, coconut, banana, corn, and peanuts. In early 2026, the East Java Natural Resources Conservation Center (BBKSDA) also handled a case in Jember where a monkey injured a toddler. Similar incidents of bites and subsequent animal evacuations from residential areas have occurred in Gresik.

Rosihan stressed that when residents become victims, the issue transcends mere agricultural damage, impacting public safety and economic losses. "When residents are bitten, human safety is threatened, and farmers suffer losses because their crops are constantly destroyed," he stated. He believes that if monkey populations become excessive, aggressive, and repeatedly attack humans in certain areas, the government must have clear population control instruments.

“

When residents are bitten, human safety is threatened, and farmers suffer losses because their crops are constantly destroyed, then this issue concerns the protection of citizens and the economic losses of the community.

However, Rosihan cautioned against arbitrary measures, emphasizing that any policy must have a legal basis, be supported by scientific studies, be measurable, and adhere to animal welfare principles. "I don't want us to rush into labeling all long-tailed monkeys as pests nationally," he added.

“

I don't want us to rush into labeling all long-tailed monkeys as pests nationally.