"This raid will continue till there are no masked monkey performances in the streets, which often create traffic jams," Jakarta Deputy Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Jakarta administration is conducting a raid to keep long-tailed monkeys, used in the popular roadside masked monkey shows, from performing on the capital`s streets.

"The raid is being conducted to prevent masked monkeys from performing on the streets of Jakarta. Hopefully, there will be no more monkey handlers performing on the streets," said Jakarta Deputy Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama here on Wednesday.

Since the first raid was carried out on October 22, at least ten monkey handlers have been forced off Jakarta`s streets, according to Basuki.

"This raid will continue till there are no masked monkey performances in the streets, which often create traffic jams," Basuki stated.

Basuki explained this was not just a raid, but an effort by the administration to find a way to stop handlers from putting up street shows involving monkeys.

"We are not only conducting a raid, but also trying to find a solution, especially for the monkey handlers. Maybe, we will create a special facility for performing monkeys. But this will be discussed again," stated Basuki.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Jakarta Social Department, Kian Kelana, said the monkey handlers who get caught during the raid will be sent to social institutions.

"The handlers of masked monkeys will be placed in social institutions or asked to return to their hometowns. The (welfare of the) monkeys will be the responsibility of the Jakarta`s Department of Marine and Animal Husbandry," he said.

On another occasion, the Head of Jakarta`s Livestock Field and the Head of the Department of Marine and Animal Husbandry, Sri Hartati, had said her institution will take in monkeys seized from handlers during raids.

"We will put these monkeys in the provided cages, where we can regularly check on their health and give them vaccines, if required. We will conduct the monkey treatment as recommended by the animal protection society," Sri had added.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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