Live and let live.

A universal motto for all - humans, of course - to live by.

Especially relevant to those living in the fringes of the jungle and forests, where man is not alone. On those land where man shares the earth with animals, fishes, birds, insects, the whole lot of flora and fauna of this world.

Humans have taken thousands of hectares of the animals’ habitats and forests for the sake of development and economic exploitations. And in doing so had upset and destroyed the unique eco-systems and structures of the land.

Let me share a letter written by someone to a local Malay-language newspaper, who penned his opinion based on his life experience living with animals around his orchards, and on the sage advice of his late father. I think it’s worth to put his suggestions here for all to read.

Unfortunately though, I can only recall the gist of the letter, having thrown or misplaced the newspaper cutting I had actually kept somewhere for future reference. But the message, the sage advice and pertinent thoughts he wrote, are concretely etched and retained in my memory, for my having read and re-read the letter for its sheer simplicity and human passion.

If I remember correctly, in essence, the writer suggested ways to combat or live with the animals surrounding the orchard of fruit trees belonging to his family, without having to kill or destroy them or their natural habitats. He suggested that : -

* Fences erected should be built with a wide gap or perimeter, with some distance between the fruit trees planted and the tall trees of the forests, so that they cannot jump or swing from the forest trees to the fruit trees.

* All around the perimeter fences, to hang shirts or clothes (used ones that still retain sweat or body odor) on the fences because the animals will steer away from the area when they smell the odor of humans.

* On the sides of the fruit trees to swipe a little swab of bar soaps to dissuade wild boars from damaging the trees.

* Whenever the wild monkeys congregate or gather at one place, to light up fire- crackers on high poles or trees, the sounds of which will scare them away. The sound will also scare away squirrels and other pest like bats and birds from the area.

Well, it has been known that the use of guns to kill animals are not really effective, and may also endanger humans when the targets or pellets go astray and especially dangerous when shooting during dark hours and at night.

Of course the welfare of the farmers and orchard owners should also be taken into account when deciding on ways to counter-act against wild animals. The Wildlife and Game Department should also make sure that these animals are scattered and spread out in the forests.

The Department should ensure that the jungle animals should not be concentrated at just an area near the lands of farmers that will cause economic ruin, and consequently creating anger of farmers that could lead to their killing in the name of pests.

Shooting the animals is an inhumane method. It is especially sad when a female monkey who is still milk-feeding her baby is shot. Watch carefully and see that when it has been shot the mother monkey might fall to the ground, but it will climb up again to hug its baby before dying. And of course the baby monkey, without its mother’s milk, will sooner or later die of starvation.
A real pity. Inhumane.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Animals are God’s creations, like humans too. We are humans because we have been given innate feelings of compassion, sadness, and a host of others, feelings collectively known as "humane feelings".

But most importantly we have been given intelligence and thinking abilities, with a big brain to use at our disposal and collectively. So we should find and think out alternative ways to live with the animals who are part of this earth, and who I imagine, had helped we humans to extend our live-span through a thoroughly efficient eco-system we ourselves cannot create.

We don’t like to die early too. We like to live longer in this world, just like the animals do, I’m sure.

If we can adopt better ways without resorting to killing the animals, then we will be helping to conserve the existence of other creatures of God in our midst, and helping to restore and preserve the ecosystem, that in the final result, will subsequently help us all.

Whenever we meddle, destroy or disturb the eco-system, then watch out for Mother Nature’s wrath. It is of no use to us having destroyed fruit trees, after we have killed the animals in the jungles.

The state of Pahang is wonderfully blessed with acres and hectares of virgin rainforests and jungles. It is meet that we keep them that way. As years progress, we see a diminishing of these rainforests and jungles, to both necessary and unnecessary development.

What is necessary and what is unnecessary development, all of us humans know inherently, and have the brains to think and determine what’s right. I will leave it at that.

Preserve our wildlife. Civilisation and civilised people are about conserving our invaluable flora and fauna.

Live and let live.