They are fed up with monkeys in Thailand

BANGKOK (AP) — Thai wildlife officials yesterday presented a plan to pacify a city in central Thailand following at least a decade of conflict between humans and monkeys.

The macaques that roam Lopburi are a symbol of local culture and a major tourist attraction.

But following years of dangerous encounters with residents and visitors and several failed attempts to pacify the area with population controls, local residents and businesses are fed up.

Monkeys frequently try to snatch food from humans, sometimes leading to fights that can leave people with scratches and other injuries.

But outrage grew in March, when a woman injured her knee following a monkey pulled on her feet to steal food from her, and another man was knocked off a motorcycle by a hungry monkey.

According to Athapol Charoenshunsa, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, authorities hope to round up regarding 2,500 urban monkeys and place them in large enclosures. They will work with wildlife experts to find a way for a limited number of monkeys to remain free in the city, he added.

“I don’t want humans to have to hurt monkeys, and I don’t want monkeys to have to hurt humans,” he told reporters during a news conference in Bangkok.

Officials last week launched an official monkey trapping campaign, prioritizing the most aggressive alpha males.

So far 37 monkeys have been captured, most of which have been placed in the care of wildlife authorities in neighboring Saraburi province, while others have been sent to Lopburi Zoo.

Officials said they plan to capture the rest of the monkeys once the enclosures are completed, especially those in residential areas.

Separate cages will be prepared for the different monkey troops to prevent them from fighting.