The Da Nang authorities have warned tourists not to feed local monkeys, the Vietnam News Agency.

A monkey on the Son Tra Peninsula eats a cookie.

During the recent peak tourist season, a herd of wild monkeys have been frequently spotted to gather at the landfill behind Linh Ung Pagoda on the Son Tra Peninsula, scavenging for food, even when environment workers are present to burn the trash.

For a long time, tourists have used candies and fruits, and other types of food to lure these monkeys into a position where they can be photographed.

Mr Nguyen Van Hung, a local street vendor, said the monkeys got used to being fed and began "asking" for food or agressively stealing it from tourists, sometimes causing quite a scene on the road which might result in accidents.

Researchers say that by feeding the wild animals, tourists have changed their living habits. From searching for food in their natural habitat, some monkeys have switched to food meant for human, which is not really good for their digestive system.

Ecologist Ha Thang Long, founder of NGO Green Viet, said that in addition to the negative impact on the monkeys, direct contact between humans and wild animals increases the risk of diseases for both sides.

Mrs Duong Thi Xuan Lieu, head of the Tourism Management and Operation Department under the Management Board of Son Tra Peninsula and Da Nang beaches, said the board had put up signs discouraging people from feeding the animals. and urged tour operators and transport providers to warn tourists against such practices.

Tourists are recommended to keep themselves safe and preserve the natural habitat for local wildlife by keeping their distance from wild animals.

(Source: VNS/ DA NANG Today)