May 24th 2024.
In the bustling town of Lopburi, located in central Thailand, the growing population of wild monkeys has become a major issue. The town's authorities have decided to take action against these marauding primates, who have been causing conflict with humans and damaging property.
Their plan, which was initiated on Friday, involves using trickery and tempting the monkeys with their favorite tropical fruit, such as rambutans, to lure them into baited cages. This strategy has already proven successful, with three monkeys falling for the trap and being captured. The cages were strategically placed earlier in the week to allow the monkeys to become accustomed to them and feel less threatened.
Despite the initial success, it is expected to be a challenging task to capture all of the estimated 2500 monkeys in the town. The operation will continue for five days this month and may be repeated in the future. The goal is to reduce the number of monkeys in the town, but some will be left free to maintain Lopburi's identity as Thailand's "monkey town".
However, the task is not without its challenges. The monkeys are intelligent creatures and may become wise to the trap after seeing their captured peers. Patarapol Maneeorn from Thailand's Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation acknowledges this, stating that capturing all of the monkeys may not be as simple as it seems.
The monkeys have long been a symbol of Lopburi and are even a popular tourist attraction. However, their increasing aggression and incidents of theft and injury have caused concern. Some businesses have even resorted to installing wire fences to protect their goods from the light-fingered primates.
The town's mayor, Chamroen Salacheep, acknowledges that while the monkeys bring in visitors, they have also caused a decline in trade and damaged property. He hopes that after the operation, the town can be cleaned up and restored to its former state.
Despite the challenges, there is a plan in place to give the captured monkeys a fresh start. They will undergo health checks, be sterilized, and receive identifying tattoos before being transferred to holding pens outside the town while a permanent home is found for them.
Despite the disruption caused by the monkey population, the people of Lopburi are determined to find a solution that benefits both the town and its furry inhabitants.
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