A town overwhelmed by a population of aggressive monkeys says things are getting out of control as its people try to fight back.
Lopbury, in Thailand, is renowned for its resident macaque monkeys which are increasing in numbers in recent years. The number of monkeys that roam the area has even made it a tourist attraction with people travelling to see them in their thousands.
But with numbers rising, the often very aggressive primates are running the place ragged. The ever-growing issue has forced the officials to try and reduce the animals‘ numbers.
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The authorities have sprung into action to reduce the monkey population. They are using baiting cages with ripe fruit to do so – aiming to capture and relocate the monkeys elsewhere.
(Image: Chaiwat Subprasom/SOPA Images/REX/Shutterstock)
It comes as the monkeys – believed to exist in their thousands in the area – are said to be causing injuries to humans and financial losses as people fear they will be attacked by them.
Patarapol Maneeorn from Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, told Fox News: “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 learnt what’s happened to their friends.”
According to the Bangkok Post, 73 monkeys have been captured so far. To help reduce the local population, department staff hope to round up between 200 and 300 macaques in this area.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
All of the captured animals will be sterilised before being taken to the Lop Buri Monkey Park in Muang district. The roaming monkeys have long been a symbol of the town, which is around 90 miles north of Bangkok, and are a major tourist draw.
Several videos of them have, however, been shared to social media showing their nasty streak as they snatch food and cause injuries to those watching them.
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