Trichy grapples with rising monkey menace

TRICHY: With Trichy residents continuing to grapple with the nuisance caused by monkeys, there has been a surge in capture operations. In 2023 alone, a total of 740 monkeys were rescued, as against 691 in 2022. The forest department has engaged registered monkey catchers to capture the primates using strategically placed cages. Residents have been asked to inform the department office behind the district court for this purpose.

“One of the primary reasons for monkeys straying into residential areas is the habit of people feeding them cooked food on the borders of reserve forest. Once they develop a taste for cooked meals, monkeys seek out human habitats in search of food,” said forest range officer V Gobinath of Trichy. Monkeys which stray into residential areas, particularly Ambarasampettai, even damage the tile roofs of houses to get inside in search of food. In Mukkombu, monkeys have developed the habit of consuming soft drinks from tins discarded by visitors. What has exacerbated the issue is that the simians have learned to open the tins themselves.

The monkeys’ presence in residential areas also poses risk to their safety as they sometimes fall victim to vehicle accidents. In the past two years, there have been 32 cases of monkey deaths in Trichy range, 29 in 2022 and three last year. Officials said monkeys often get caught under wheels of vehicles while searching for food on roads.

One of the steps the forest department has taken to curb this trend is install cement water tanks outside reserve forests to provide alternative sources of hydration for the monkeys.

Forest officials said that all reserve forests have percolation ponds and check dams inside. Additionally, efforts are underway to keep monkeys within the confines of reserve forests by growing minor forest produce such as coconut and neem. By providing food sources within the forest, authorities hope to discourage monkeys from venturing into residential areas.

Forest officials have urged residents to refrain from feeding monkeys and to properly dispose of waste, including food containers. They emphasize the importance of coexisting with wildlife while minimizing potential conflicts for the safety and well-being of both humans and animals alike.

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