Monkeys lose their home to Jatibarang dam

Around 300 long-tailed monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) living in the Goa Kreo tourist area in Semarang, Central Java, may lose their home as a result of the massive Jatibarang dam construction project in Kandri village, Gunungpati.

Hartadi, 34, a resident of the village, said many of the monkeys had been stealing food from residents' homes.

“The temperature in the area has become much, since many trees have been felled and much of the shade has been lost. All farms have been cleared. [The monkeys] must be starving,” Hartadi said Wednesday as quoted by kompas.com.

Monkeys have reportedly been living in the area for decades.

“We hope the monkeys can live together with humans. We have become familiar with them interacting with us. But now their habitat is in danger,” said Kasmani, another resident.

The construction of the dam began in September 2009. The 46.56-hectare dam, worth Rp 1.7 trillion, is expected to ease flooding in Semarang, supply clean water and serve as a source of hydroelectricity.