Pic courtesy of www.gps.caltech.edu.com
I remember once I was at David Chien Garden, and a man we all call “Lau Hor’ or Tiger once commented that a man who kills a protected animal is no hero but a murderer. There was a slot about a tiger that had attacked a woman and was shot dead finally.
At that time I kept silent for I knew it was a delicate balance : between man and nature.
Some people who live in big towns and cities do not understand the psyche of people who live outside the big cities. Do you remember the 12-year-old boy who was eaten by a crocodile? The town folk sometimes forget there are two sides of the coin and not only the animal has rights but the villagers too. They too have a right to survival.
Now, this case of a woman who lost four of her cows. it may be no big deal to most of us but perhaps a big investment to her. When some monkeys enter the home and forage for food, the city folk make a big noise and it is reported in the press.
A middle-aged woman from Kampung Benawa, Marudi intends to ask the authorities for compensation for four cows she claims were eaten by crocodiles. The problem is she does not know who to forward the claim to. The government through its agency, Sarawak Forestry Corporation does not allow crocodiles to be killed. Due to this, the villagers can’t get rid of the crocodiles. Therefore, she feels the government should pay her some compensation. She also voiced fears for the safety of her fellow villagers along the Tutoh river.
When asked for the size of the crocodiles, she pointed to a 20ft plus speedboat in the river.
It is a delicate balance. The villagers too need to survive. Blame it on the population boom, blame it on progress, blame it on shrinking habitats for the animals but don’t just blame it on the innocent villagers.
Article courtesy of the Borneo Post 10/01/07