Malaysia is a
wonderful country in many ways but one of the things that drives me absolutely
mad about living here is the propensity to litter. Fast food packets, water bottles, food
wrappings and plastic bags are just discarded wherever is convenient for the individual
concerned. That means that, with the
exception of the national parks, a lot of places are just completely covered in
litter. It can mar a beautiful view or
location very badly indeed.
 |
| Rubbish collects along the embankment of rivers |
It is also dangerous
for wildlife. Malaysia’s forests are so
thick that there is all sorts of stuff living just a short distance away from
people. The other day, driving to
collect the older children from school, I saw a wild pig rooting around on the
edge of the forest by the roadside. He
was huge and looked very fierce. All
sorts of domestic animals run around all over the place not to mention street
dogs and feral cats and, as ever, the ubiquitous monkeys.
 |
| This little chap is eating something he shouldn't. |
All of these animals
are at risk from the litter that pervades this country. The other day we saw a monkey playing with a
plastic bag he had picked up. We know
that it could do him all sorts of damage but there was no way we could get it
off him without running the risk of being bitten, he will just have to take his
chances and we hope he is ok.
 |
| Shredding the bag - we were worried that he would get sick. |
There is not really much we can, realistically, do when we see things like this happen but we hope that this is
one aspect of life in Malaysia that will change in the near future.
Click on the picture for more posts on life in Malaysia
Click on the picture for more posts on life in Malaysia
Part of the Animal Tales Link Up Hosted by Eco Gites of Lenault.
Just discovered your blog via Eco-Gites. I travelled to Malaysia a few years ago. As a traveller, even with eager eyes wide open it's amazing what you miss, and don't see. Nothing beats truly living and breathing in another country to really get a feel for it ... good & bad!
ReplyDeleteThanks Emma - it is true that living somewhere gives you a very different perspective on life there. there are countries that I have been to on extended holidays that I have thought would be good to live in but I am sure the reality is very different.
DeleteAw - I love it when connections are made :)
DeleteI've just read another blog post about rhinos being killed and hunted. Really do hope all animals will be safe from murder :( #animaltales.
ReplyDeleteIt is terribly sad to think of what happens to these animals. I saw footage of an Orangutan and her baby starved and emaciated and mistreated by villagers when they sought refuge. So different to the life the healthy mother and her baby we saw at the sanctuary the other week will enjoy.
DeleteIt's so sad that our litter causes so many problems for the animals around us - even in countries where it doesn't have that immediate impact, we're still dumping it and making long term problems :( #animaltales
ReplyDeleteIt is a pretty sobering thought.
DeleteI have hope that it will get better. I remember how much litter there was when I was a child and all the campaigns against littering. There is still litter of course, but it is far less then it used to be and all within a single generation. It might seem hopeless for Malaysia today, but hopefully tomorrow the story will be different.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think the situation is changing, slowly but surely.
Deletethat reminds me of the monkeys in South Africa, very aggressive from years of waste human food and a little to adventurous for my liking. I had to defend myself from a monkey trying to open the zip on my handbag, you did well to stay away, i was bitten
ReplyDeleteOuch a monkey bite can be dangerous. They can be quite aggressive here if you are not careful. A few months ago I took the children to a local, reasonably good, zoo. The monkeys in the local area had cottoned on to the fact that the bins were overflowing with goodness and while the staff does clear them up as soon as they get too full the monkeys just climb in the bins. They must think the zoo animals are complete mugs!
DeleteA troop came across a bin behind us just as we were looking at an exhibit and I was taking a photograph. I was on my own with the children (Mr EE was travelling) and I felt quite vulnerable with the baby in the pram. We turned round and walked very quickly away, missing a number of the exhibits on the way but they looked very threatening. I was pleased I had made the children eat their snack at a table and not walk around with them!
Ahhhh - don't get me going on about litter as it is such an unnecessary evil. In our part of rural Normandy there is very little litter so when I go back to the UK it really hits me hard when I see it all ... and having worked in conservation I am all too aware of the implications to wildlife and pets. Thank you for adding this post to #AnimalTales and for being such a good supporter of the link up over the last year.
ReplyDeleteIt is funny how perceptions differ depending on where we are in the world. The UK looks pristine to my eyes after seeing all the stuff thrown anywhere and everywhere here. It is an awful shame on so many levels.
Delete