Caged monkey in Malaysia spray-painted blue nowhere to be found

The incident gained widespread attention after a video surfaced showing a man spraying blue paint directly onto a monkey confined in a cage.PHOTO: SCREENSHOT FROM THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK VIDEO

PETALING JAYA – The fate and whereabouts of a caged monkey seen being spray-painted in a viral video remain unknown, said Selangor’s Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) that has been unable to locate the animal.

According to a statement from Perhilitan, a 62-year-old suspect, who has admitted to being the man in the video, had released the monkey from the cage on the same day he sprayed it with blue paint.

“The monkey involved in the incident was released by the suspect on the same day, but efforts by the department to locate and rescue the animal have so far been unsuccessful.

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“It is believed that the animal has fled into a nearby forest,” Perhilitan told The Star via e-mail on June 6.

The department has also seized the monkey trap believed to have been used during the incident as part of its investigation.

The incident is believed to have taken place on May 23 in a residential area in Sungai Buloh, Selangor.

An official complaint was lodged with Perhilitan on May 24, prompting immediate enforcement action.

READ: Monkey presented as evidence escapes

“The suspect, a 62-year-old local man, was arrested and taken to the Sungai Buloh district police headquarters for allegedly committing an offense under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716).

“He was later released on police bail,” the department added.

The incident gained widespread attention after a video surfaced showing a man spraying blue paint directly onto a monkey confined in a cage.

The footage sparked public outrage, with animal welfare activists and concerned citizens calling for firm action. /dl