The sight of monkeys swinging from tree to tree at the perimeter fence separating the Ayer Hitam forest reserve and the housing area of Taman Saujana Puchong was once regarded as cute and playful.
About a month ago, however, the animals’ behavior changed for the worse – causing residents to fear for their safety.
Last month, a grandfather who tried to save his two-year-old grandchild from being attacked by a short-tailed macaque ended up in hospital with a fractured hip and deep gashes on his hands and thighs.
Due to the severity of his injuries, Tan Keong Kwee, 69, who lives in Jalan SP 6, had to be warded at Hospital Serdang for a month.
According to Chin Siew Mee, his 61-year-old wife, Tan will be discharged on Friday (Oct 28).
Residents said a child was also attacked by a monkey at Jalan SP10 on the same day and have images of gaping wounds on her arm to prove it.
“The monkeys never bothered us before. But they began coming into our homes, stealing fruits from our trees and rummaging through our rubbish bins a month ago,” said Sarath Krishnan, an area resident for 14 years.