Ribeira Grande de Santiago: Farmers in Cidade Velha affected by increase in monkeys

Cidade Velha, 04 Mar (Inforpress) – Farmers in Cidade Velha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reported today an increase in groups of monkeys on agricultural properties, alleging that they are suffering “significant losses and difficulties” in farming activities in the region.

Speaking to Inforpress, farmers from Cidade Velha reported that monkeys have been invading properties in groups of around 30, destroying vegetable gardens, breaking walls and consuming crops such as mangoes, cassava and sugar cane.

Farmer Marciano Mendonça revealed that this year he has already lost many agricultural products and stated that the animals are no longer afraid of people, rendering traditional methods of scaring them away ineffective.

“The only way to drive them away is with hunting shotgun fire, which is increasingly difficult since there is no hunter in the town. Moreover, hunting with firearms is prohibited,” he lamented.

CG/SR//ZS

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