This story recalls a bigger problem that has been warned for many years in Da Nang, which is the situation of wild animals becoming more and more humane as they become accustomed to being fed by humans.
In Son Tra peninsula, it is not difficult to see tourists bringing bananas, bread, and candies to monkeys. There were even tourists wrapping bananas around themselves so that the monkeys would rush to get food.
Some people feed them out of pity, some want to lure monkeys closer to take photos and videos. Outwardly, such "feeding" activities seem to be harmless. People are happy to be in close contact with animals. Monkeys also have food without having to search.
But the problem also starts from that joy and effortlessness. Because in nature, monkeys must find their own leaves, fruits and other food sources to survive.
Now, as people bring food to their homes day after day, they gradually form the habit of finding people instead of finding food in the forest.
From standing by the roadside waiting to be fed, they can get closer to people, rummage through trash cans, snatch things, and then find down to residential areas. When they do not receive the food they expect, some individuals are likely to become aggressive.
Therefore, we should not just look at monkeys going down the street as animals suddenly "causing trouble". Behind that behavior is part of the responsibility of humans when we unintentionally change their natural habits.
More worryingly, the consequences do not stop at just a few individuals. Baby monkeys can learn how to find food from adult monkeys. A habit created today can therefore continue in later generations.
Therefore, loving wild animals does not mean having to feed them or find a way to get close to them. Sometimes, the most correct way to love is simply to keep your distance.
Do not feed them, do not lure them closer, do not tease and do not turn wild animals into props for photos or videos on social networks. That is both a way to protect humans and help animals maintain their survival instincts.
Da Nang has repeatedly advised tourists not to feed monkeys in Son Tra peninsula. But if this situation continues, perhaps in addition to propaganda, stronger management measures are needed in areas where monkeys often appear.
Because if today we continue to give food to monkeys and tomorrow we find ways to stop them from going down the street to forage, then humans are creating a vicious cycle.
Respecting nature does not necessarily mean doing something great, but starting with very small things, such as letting wild animals live true to their wildlife.
