Residents in Lopburi city seemed unable to endure any longer when the crowded group of monkeys became ferocious and violently robbed food.
For many people, the mischievous long-tailed macaques have become a symbol of the Thai city of Lopburi. Tourists flock to the city’s ancient temple to feed the monkeys fresh fruit and take photos of them wandering the streets. This week, after more and more complaints from residents, wildlife authorities announced plans to round up 2,500 monkeys in the inner city and put them in large cages. Previously, in March, a woman dislocated her knee when a monkey kicked her from behind to steal food. A man driving a motorbike also lost control after the monkey tried to grab his food bag, according to Guardian.
“I don’t want humans to harm the monkeys, but I also don’t want the monkeys to harm humans,” said Athapol Charoenshunsa, general director of Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.
Some people have fed monkeys for generations and feel they are part of the city’s identity. Others say the monkey population is so large that they are destroying businesses and homes, and threatening human health. Groups of monkeys are famous for stalking people and businesses looking for food. Some snack sellers have to carry slingshots to scare monkeys away. Stores install trellises and display large toy animals such as crocodiles or tigers to deter monkeys from entering. Rival groups of monkeys invade various buildings, including an abandoned movie theater.
Athapol expects the first phase of the monkey roundup will begin within the next few weeks and the cages will be large enough to hold thousands of monkeys. Authorities will leave a small number of monkeys in the city. They captured 37 of the most aggressive male monkeys last week, including the top four. The 5th leader monkey, who specializes in stealing underwear and necklaces from a store, still operates freely. Captured monkeys will be kept in the same cage as their group.
Authorities have launched a sterilization campaign. From 2014 to 2023, they sterilized about 2,600 monkeys. Female monkeys can give birth twice a year. With the abundance of sugary snacks coming from tourists over the decades, they have more energy to reproduce. Last year, the total number of monkeys reached 5,709. Experts are calling for awareness about what food can be given to monkeys and when to feed them.
According to Athapol, rounding up the monkeys will help solve the problem quickly, but some people are skeptical. “If the authorities only catch a few monkeys, it doesn’t make any difference,” commented Panya Phaopahol, a resident. However, fewer roaming monkeys will help improve people’s quality of life and make the city cleaner.