In the Thai town of Lopburi, famous for its large population of macaques, locals are facing a serious problem. Wild monkeys, once a tourist attraction, have begun to terrorize the townspeople. They attacked people, robbed stores and restaurants, turning the city streets into a risk zone.
Concerned citizens have appealed to Thai Prime Minister Seththi Thavisin to address the situation. At a meeting with the head of the government, the residents presented him with a picture symbolizing the scale of the problem - a picture of a schoolgirl armed with a toy weapon to protect her from monkeys, next to a picture of a macaque holding the same "machine gun". This viral image was a blatant embodiment of the danger posed by wild primates.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that monkeys are a unique feature of Lopburi, but ensuring the safety of the public is a priority. He promised to find a solution, while not seeking to get rid of the macaques completely, but to find a middle ground that harmonizes the coexistence of man and nature.
Macaque population management strategies
Thai authorities have taken a number of measures to control monkey numbers and behavior. One of the key methods has been a sterilization programme carried out in cooperation between the Department of National Parks and Lopburi Municipality. The aim is to reduce the birth rate in the macaque population to prevent uncontrolled breeding.
It is also planned to build temporary enclosures to shelter wild monkeys. In them, the animals will be trained in proper behavior before being released into the Lopburi Monkey Park or returned to their natural habitat. This approach will keep primate numbers stable while reducing risks to humans.
Representatives of the Department of National Parks recommend that Lopburi residents avoid direct contact with monkeys and simply run away when they approach. However, it should be noted that only some individuals are aggressive, and most macaques are safe for humans provided their personal space is not violated.
Alternative methods of birth control
In addition to traditional approaches to managing the monkey population, scientists offer an innovative solution - the use of the herb Pueraria myrifica. Experiments have shown that adding this plant to macaques' drinking water sources can reduce their fertility naturally.
This method may be a safer and more humane alternative to capturing and sterilizing primates. It eliminates the stress on the animals associated with invasive procedures and simplifies the logistics of the process compared to the need for mass capture of macaques.
Jessada Denduangboripant, a lecturer in the Department of Biology at Chulalongkorn University, who proposed the idea, highlighted the benefits of the approach. It will effectively control the number of monkeys while preserving their population in the city as a cultural heritage.
Thus, the problem of macaques terrorizing Lopburi residents requires a comprehensive solution. Sterilization, sheltering and training of primates, along with the use of innovative methods such as Pueraria Mirifica, are intended to restore the balance between man and nature while preserving the city's unique character.
Author of the article: Ekaterina Antonova
