Groups of monkeys on the streets of Lopburi, a tourist city about 140 kilometers north of the Thai capital Bangkok
are one of the local special landscapes
However, the recent surge in the number of monkeys has triggered
gang conflicts and property destruction incidents
The local government had to
take action against these rampant monkeys
Thousands of monkeys from two groups started "street battles"
Local residents:
They feel that monkeys are more like urban masters
Due to long-term coexistence with humans, the monkeys in Lopburi are very "humane" "Not only can they swagger into human banquets to eat, they have also learned to take short-distance "travels" by train.
These "ghostly" monkeys were once loved by foreign tourists. However, due to the fact that tourists have been feeding them high-sugar, highly nutritious carbohydrates and carbohydrate drinks for many years, the bodies of local monkeys have been greatly "ripened". Can give birth twice. In a state of scarcity of food in nature, this kind of macaque can give birth to at most once a year.
Due to the decrease in tourists during the COVID-19 epidemic, many local monkeys migrated to other places. When they returned, they came into conflict with the increasing number of monkeys that had occupied the local area.
A local resident said that in his decades of life, he has never seen such a "grand occasion" as this year. In the past, the most group fights between monkeys were 5-6 monkeys on each side, but now thousands of monkeys are fighting fiercely in the streets and alleys of the city. Many times the monkeys not only completely block normal traffic, but also damage items in street shops.
A local resident installed anti-monkey railings outside her windows. She said, "I feel like I live in a cage, and monkeys are the masters of this city."
Police "special forces" captured
latest decision: sterilization!
The local government said that swarms of monkeys have caused trouble and danger to residents and tourists. The police have set up a "special force" to combat monkey crimes and plan to capture 2,500 monkeys wandering in Lopburi. and house them in large enclosures.
This special force not only wears protective clothing, but also uses masks to cover their faces to prevent them from being recognized by monkeys.
Thailand's National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Department said it would work with wildlife experts to find ways to allow the small number of monkeys to roam freely in the city.
It is understood that the official monkey hunting campaign has been launched this week, with priority given to catching more aggressive males. So far, 37 monkeys have been captured, including the most ferocious gang leader Ai Krao. After the monkeys are caught, they are given a shot of sedative and then placed in a cage to calm down.
Thailand’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Pracharawat, said at a cabinet meeting on April 1 that it is necessary to establish a macaque control center in Lopburi Province to sterilize monkeys. The Thai government will regularly monitor the implementation of sterilization to evaluate its effectiveness.
Starting from April 1, Lopburi Province started the second round of monkey capture operations. After learning their lesson, the law enforcement officers this time went out in civilian clothes instead of uniforms, because the monkeys can now recognize the police uniforms.
From 2014 to 2023, Thailand’s wildlife management department implemented sterilization measures on about 2,600 monkeys in Lopburi, but the local monkey population is still facing an out-of-control situation. Due to competition for food and territory, local monkey groups will also engage in "gathering fights".
Source: News Square Comprehensive
