Escaped Monkeys in Thai Neighborhoods Prompt Capture Effort

Nearly 100 monkeys escaped from a government-run enclosure in central Thailand, causing a significant effort to capture the animals. These monkeys managed to break out of the Lopburi Municipality Animal Nursery, where local authorities were housing them since their transfer from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. The escape occurred overnight, but workers managed to keep more than 1,000 other monkeys from escaping.

Authorities, including provincial officials and wildlife authorities, searched nearby residential areas following the escape. To recapture the monkeys, they used food-baited cages. Some of the larger and more aggressive macaques needed to be subdued using tranquilizer darts for safe capture. The enclosure has since been repaired, and efforts to recapture the remaining escaped monkeys are ongoing.

The Governor of Lopburi, Weeraphong Ritrod, stated that the enclosure was reinforced to prevent future breakouts. Plans are also underway to construct a more secure, double-layer enclosure to contain the dominant monkeys. The province intends to establish a foundation aimed at supporting food costs and enhancing the welfare of the monkeys.

According to Mayor Chamroen Salacheep, the reasons for the escape might include hunger, excessive heat, overcrowding, or the monkeys’ instinct to roam. He apologized to affected residents and urged those who experienced property damage to report it for assessment and possible assistance. Lopburi is known for its significant population of free-roaming macaques, causing challenges for residents and businesses due to property damage and aggressive behaviors. Authorities have undertaken sterilization programs and relocated some animals to enclosures to manage the monkey population.