May 24th 2024.
In the bustling town of Lopburi, located in central Thailand, a growing population of wild monkeys has caused chaos and conflict among the residents. With several high-profile cases of monkey-human conflict, the authorities have decided to take action and reduce the number of monkeys roaming the streets.
The plan, which was put into action on Friday, involves using trickery and ripe tropical fruits to lure the monkeys into cages. The hope is to catch them and relocate them to a new, safer home. The first stage of the plan has already shown some success, with three monkeys falling for the bait and ending up trapped in a cage.
To ensure the monkeys are comfortable with the cages, they were placed on the streets earlier in the week. This helped the monkeys become accustomed to them and feel less threatened. Despite the efforts, there are still an estimated 2500 monkeys in the town, but the recent capture of around 30 of them has slightly reduced the number.
The operation will continue for five days this month and may be repeated in the future. However, it is not expected to be an easy task. Patarapol Maneeorn from Thailand's Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation expressed concern over the monkeys' intelligence, stating that those who have seen their friends get caught may be hesitant to enter the cages themselves.
The monkeys have long been a symbol of Lopburi and are a popular tourist attraction. However, their aggressive behavior has caused concern among residents and business owners. Some even go to extremes, like one auto parts shop that now trades from behind wire to keep the monkeys out.
The town's mayor, Chamroen Salacheep, acknowledges that the monkeys bring in tourists but also cause harm to the town's economy and infrastructure. He plans to clean and repaint the town after the operation is over to regain the people's trust.
Despite the challenges, authorities have a plan to give the monkeys a fresh start. On Friday, they began sedating and conducting health checks on the captured monkeys. After cleaning and sterilizing them, they will be given tattoos for identification and transferred to holding pens outside of the town center. From there, authorities will work to find a permanent home for the monkeys.
It may seem like tough times for the monkeys in Lopburi, but the authorities are determined to find a solution that benefits both the residents and the monkeys. In the meantime, residents and tourists are encouraged to stay up to date with the latest news on the situation through the town's WhatsApp channel.
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