BUTTERWORTH – A wild monkey was shot dead by wildlife rangers today after it bit a 50-day-old baby boy at his home in Kg Manggis, Sg Puyu, last Saturday.
The baby suffered injuries to his head, abdomen, and face.
Seberang Perai Utara district police chief assistant commissioner Noorzainy Mohd Noor said the incident happened at 6.21pm when the baby was left alone in the living room while his mother and grandmother were in the kitchen.
Noorzainy said in the incident, the victim had just woken up from sleep and was lying on a mattress.
“The village house is inhabited by five people – the victim, his grandmother, mother, father and uncle. At the time of the incident, the victim’s father was at a shop while his uncle was outside of the house."
The door of the house and all the windows were closed.
Noorzainy said the mother found the baby about one metre from the mattress and a male monkey not far from the victim. The monkey then fled.
“The victim was taken to Seberang Jaya Hospital for treatment. The infant was transferred to Penang Hospital at 10pm on the same day.
“The baby underwent a minor surgery after a piece of skin was torn from his abdomen.
“The victim is still at the hospital and in stable condition. He will need medical attention for at least two weeks for his injuries to heal.”
Preliminary investigation found that the male monkey was often seen in the area around the family’s house.
Noorzainy said the incident was the first of its kind in the village.
The monkey was shot dead at 11.30am in an ambush by the Wildlife and Parks Department and police.
The monkey was found about 30m from the victim’s house. – The Vibes, January 11, 2021
