2LT International News

BANGKOK, Thailand: Thai wildlife officials have unveiled a comprehensive plan to address the ongoing human-monkey conflict in the central Thai city of Lopburi, which has persisted for over a decade.

The macaques that inhabit Lopburi are not only an integral part of the local culture but also a significant tourist attraction. However, the coexistence between humans and monkeys has deteriorated over the years, with numerous incidents of aggressive behavior from the monkeys toward residents and visitors alike.

Following recent incidents, including one where a woman dislocated her knee after being pulled by a monkey, authorities have decided to take decisive action. Athapol Charoenshunsa, the director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, outlined the plan during a news conference in Bangkok.

The initiative involves rounding up approximately 2,500 urban monkeys and relocating them to massive enclosures. The goal is to find a balance where a limited number of monkeys can continue to roam freely in the city while minimizing conflicts with humans.

He told reporters, “I don’t want humans to have to hurt monkeys, and I don’t want monkeys to have to hurt humans.”

A monkey-catching campaign has already begun, targeting more aggressive alpha males. So far, 37 monkeys have been captured and relocated to wildlife authorities in the neighboring Saraburi province or the Lopburi Zoo.

Once the enclosures are ready, the remaining monkeys, especially those in residential areas, will be captured and placed in separate cages to prevent intertroop conflicts. Athapol anticipates that the first phase of the operation will commence within weeks and expressed confidence that the enclosures will effectively address the problem.

The monkeys are deeply ingrained in Lopburi’s identity, with the ancient Three Pagodas temple hosting an annual “Monkey Buffet” festival. Macaques are protected under Thailand’s wildlife conservation law, but their growing presence in urban areas has escalated tensions.

While some blame tourists and residents for feeding the monkeys, others argue that previous efforts to limit feeding exacerbated the problem. Phadej Laithong, director of the Wildlife Conservation Office, stressed the importance of adapting to the monkeys’ presence, citing their need to find food due to a lack of natural sources.

Efforts to control the monkey population through neutering have proven to be insufficient in the past. Wildlife authorities are also addressing similar issues in other parts of Thailand, such as Prajuab Kiri Khan and Phetchaburi, where monkeys pose persistent problems.