Have you ever had to deal with some unwelcome guests? Well, the town of Lopburi in central Thailand has a serious monkey problem, and they’re getting creative to solve it.
Imagine this: a picturesque town overrun by wild monkeys, turning everyday life into a scene straight out of a wildlife documentary.
On Friday, Lopburi launched an innovative operation against its simian invaders using trickery and ripe tropical fruit. The aim? To reduce the ever-growing monkey population that has been causing havoc around town.
Two monkey gangs clash in the city of Lopburi, Thailand. pic.twitter.com/kTIUZAUq7J
— Nature is Amazing ☘️ (@AMAZlNGNATURE) March 30, 2024
Here’s the plan: authorities set up baited cages filled with the monkeys’ favorite snacks, like rambutan fruit. The goal is to use the monkeys’ hunger to overcome their natural caution. Early efforts were successful, with three macaques falling for the trap and getting caught on one street. These cages were strategically placed earlier in the week, giving the monkeys time to get used to them and making them less suspicious.
Lopburi is home to about 2,500 monkeys. The initial capture netted around 30 monkeys, but this is just the beginning. The operation will continue for five days this month and will likely be repeated. Despite the efforts, some monkeys will remain free to keep Lopburi’s unique charm as Thailand’s “monkey town.”
In Thailand, thousands of monkeys have attacked the city
According to local media, the tourist areas of Lopburi city are being destroyed by monkeys: they climb into cars, steal food from stores and damage property. pic.twitter.com/cztgYJwVzX
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) April 1, 2024
But don’t think it’s going to be easy. Patarapol Maneeorn from Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation pointed out, “With the monkey’s intelligence, if some of them go into the cage and are caught, the others outside won’t enter the cage to get the food because they’ve already learned what’s happened to their friends.”
The monkeys, a symbol of Lopburi and a significant tourist attraction have become increasingly aggressive. Videos of monkeys snatching food and causing injuries have gone viral, showcasing the growing conflict.
Businesses have had to adapt. For instance, one auto parts shop now operates behind wire mesh installed during the coronavirus pandemic, which also serves to keep out the mischievous primates. Supaporn Tantiwong, who runs the shop, mentioned, “When there are a lot of monkeys around, customers are afraid of buying the goods at the shop. Only our regulars aren’t frightened.”
Mayor Chamroen Salacheep acknowledges the monkeys’ dual role in the town’s life – they attract tourists but also harm local businesses. Shops and malls have seen a drop in income, and homes have been damaged.
Chamroen described Lopburi as almost an “abandoned town.” But he’s optimistic about the future, saying, “After our operation is over, I will do a big cleaning across the town and paint all the buildings to regain the faith of the people.”
Now, you might be wondering what happens to these monkeys after they’re caught. Well, they’re given health checks, cleaned, sterilized, and tattooed for identification. Eventually, they’ll be transferred to large holding pens just outside the town center while authorities look for a permanent solution.
So, what do you think? This operation might be just the start of reclaiming Lopburi from its wild residents. It’s a fascinating and challenging endeavor that reminds us how humans and wildlife sometimes struggle to coexist.
