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    Home » Lopburi Struggles with Monkey Mayhem: Authorities Capture Over 1,600 Primates

    Lopburi Struggles with Monkey Mayhem: Authorities Capture Over 1,600 Primates

    Kanika SharmaBy Kanika SharmaNovember 14, 2024Updated:November 14, 2024 World No Comments5 Mins Read
    Monkey Mayhem

    Lopburi’s Monkey Mayhem: City Battles Overpopulation and Aggression

    In Lopburi, a historic city in Thailand, residents are all too familiar with the sight of monkeys looting fruits from vehicles or swarming buildings. Known as “Monkey City,” Lopburi has long coexisted with its thousands of long-tailed macaques, which locals and tourists alike considered a charming aspect of the city. However, the pandemic disrupted this harmony, leading to a monkey mayhem and the residents are now struggling to manage.

    Thailand Monkey
    Sumalee Srichomphoo, 60, a local resident who has been feeding monkeys for twelve years, plays with a long-tailed macaque while she feeds monkeys at a designated feeding area near Phra Prang Sam Yot temple, after officials began capturing monkeys in Lopburi province, Thailand, September 20, 2024. Before COVID-19 shut Lopburi, some of its 58,000 residents casually fed the 3,000 long-tailed macaques that lived alongside and even threw an annual fruit banquet for them, drawing tourists to “Monkey City”, a three-hour drive north of Bangkok. The macaques, believed to bring good fortune, also inhabit nearby forests and have long been a part of the city’s history. But after Lopburi came out of the pandemic lockdown in mid-2022, its residents found that the monkeys, without people feeding them, had become unruly. REUTERS

    A Change in Behaviour Post-Pandemic

    Before the COVID-19 lockdowns, Lopburi’s residents would feed the approximately 3,000 macaques living among them, even hosting an annual fruit feast for the animals. But during the pandemic, as tourism dwindled and food sources vanished, the monkeys’ behaviour shifted drastically. Once tourism resumed in 2022, Lopburi residents found that the primates had become more aggressive, taking over buildings and creating dangerous conditions for people.

    Thailand Monkey Mayhem
    A long-tailed macaque attacks an employee of Chayovanich shop, which is located on the opposite side of Phra Prang Sam Yot temple, before officials started capturing monkeys in Lopburi, Thailand, February 3, 2024. After Lopburi came out of the pandemic lockdown in mid-2022, its residents found that the monkeys, without people feeding them, had become unruly. Troops of macaques had taken over buildings, often confronting residents, stealing food and causing accidents. Gangs of monkeys also fought in brawls, shocking locals. Some residents resorted to caging themselves within their homes. REUTERS

    Without regular feeding from visitors, the monkeys resorted to looting, causing accidents, and even staging territorial brawls. “It wasn’t always like this,” said Jirat Buapromart, a long-time resident. “They are ready to steal anything they can from us.”

    Government Actions to Control Monkey Populations

    As complaints escalated, authorities began taking action in early 2024 to restore order. Armed with slingshots and traps, officials set out to capture unruly macaques, some of whom had caused such disturbances that locals had fortified their homes with metal bars for protection. By May, efforts intensified, including a push for sterilisation to control the monkey population.

    Thailand Monkey Mayhem
    Veterinarians from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation carry out sterilisation procedures on long-tailed macaques, due to the increase of the macaque population in the urban areas and tourist spots of the city, after officials captured the monkeys in Lopburi, Thailand, May 24, 2024. In May, local authorities stepped up the push against unruly monkeys, including boosting sterilisation efforts that began during the pandemic. “Our goal is to neuter all the monkeys, 100 percent of them,” local veterinarian Patarapol Maneeorn from the government wildlife department said in September. The monkeys would then be put into a designated area where they will be looked after, he said. Five months after the start of the government’s campaign, Lopburi’s primate pandemonium has finally come under control, with around 1,600 monkeys in captivity. REUTERS

    Senior veterinarian Patarapol Maneeorn from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation announced plans to spay 100% of the macaque population and move them to a designated, supervised area. By September, authorities had captured around 1,600 monkeys, bringing a semblance of calm back to Lopburi.

    Divided Opinions and Calls for Compassionate Solutions

    The mass capture of monkeys has sparked mixed reactions. Animal rights groups agree on the importance of controlling the monkey population but argue that placing them in cages is inhumane. “The monkeys are suffering because currently they’re in a cage that is not designed for them,” said Edwin Wiek, founder of the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand. He urged the government to provide additional funding for the Department of National Parks to ensure monkeys receive proper care.

    Monkey Mayhem
    Long-tailed macaques eat fruit as they cling onto Yongyuth Kitwatananusont, 83, who has organised the annual Monkey Festival for thirty-five years at Phra Prang Sam Yot temple, before officials started capturing monkeys, in Lopburi, Thailand, November 26, 2023. Before COVID-19 shut Lopburi, some of its 58,000 residents casually fed the 3,000 long-tailed macaques that lived alongside and even threw an annual fruit banquet for them, drawing tourists to “Monkey City”, a three-hour drive north of Bangkok. The macaques, believed to bring good fortune, also inhabit nearby forests and have long been a part of the city’s history. But after Lopburi came out of the pandemic lockdown in mid-2022, its residents found that the monkeys, without people feeding them, had become unruly. REUTERS

    Locals like clockmaker Chalit Nithiwkram appreciate the newfound peace, noting that with fewer monkeys, customers are now more comfortable visiting his shop. However, others recognise the tourism value that monkeys bring to Lopburi. “We have to admit that the monkeys attract tourism. They’ve earned a massive revenue for Lopburi,” said Wisarut Somngam, a researcher with Ecoexist Society.

    As the city finds relief from the daily disruptions, Lopburi residents and officials are now faced with the challenge of finding a balanced solution that preserves the city’s heritage and ensures the welfare of the macaques.

    with inputs from Reuters

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    • Kanika Sharma
      Kanika Sharma

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