Thai wildlife authorities hope to round up about 2,500 macaques in the city of Lopburi and place them in a huge enclosure, the Associated Press reported on Wednesday.
The city has been at war with monkeys for at least a decade. While it has an appeal that attracts tourists, it is also said to be the source of many pranks. Associated Press.
No more monkey business: Thailand’s wildlife authorities have laid out a plan to bring peace to the central Thai city after at least a decade of human-monkey conflict. Officials hope to round up about 2,500 urban monkeys and put them in a huge enclosure. https://t.co/KYlgpBOYp5
— AP Oddities (@AP_Oddities) April 3, 2024
The mischievous macaque monkey is known for trying to steal food from humans, to the point where fights break out between humans, the newspaper reported. These battles have left humanity with scratches and other wounds. An example of this is when a monkey dislocates a woman’s knee. Another man, who was allegedly hungry, knocked his motorcycle out of the car.
Officials tried to address the problem by neutering 2,600 monkeys between 2014 and 2023, but the overpopulation problem was not solved, the New York Post reported. report. (Related article: Plan to raise 30,000 monkeys in the city reportedly sparks backlash from local residents and animal rights groups.)
To counter these threats, Thai police have formed their own unit, the Daily Mail, with special equipment to deal with monkeys. report.
“I am aware of the potential danger from monkeys. They are starting to pose a threat to tourists and local residents. The slingshots currently carried by police officers can be used to intimidate monkeys when necessary. In most cases, they only need to use slingshots as a deterrent and there is no need to use objects to attack the monkeys,” said Police Maj. Gen. Apilak Wechikanchana of Lopburi Provincial Police. said, the Daily Mail reported.
According to the Associated Press, Thai authorities plan to allow a limited number of monkeys to stay in the city. “I don’t want humans to harm monkeys, and I don’t want monkeys to harm humans,” said Attapol Charoenshunsa, director-general of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Protection Department. Associated Press reported. .
According to the Associated Press, authorities have already begun a monkey trapping operation and have so far captured 37 monkeys and placed them in the custody of wildlife officials and zoos.
