In the central part of Thailand, the city of Lopburi is famous for its abundant wild monkeys, earning it the nickname “Monkey City”. Recently, a mass escape of over a hundred monkeys occurred at a monkey sanctuary in the city, leading to chaos as the monkeys wreaked havoc by invading homes, looting vehicles, and even attacking the police station.
According to reports from the Thai website Thaiger, on September 16th, residents of Lopburi witnessed a startling sight as more than 100 monkeys broke free from a local monkey sanctuary. The monkeys roamed the streets in groups, entered residential areas, and caused disturbances near the police station.
Some of the monkeys even broke into the police station premises, rummaging through parked vehicles. The officers at the station had to drive away these unruly monkeys using slingshots, while residents watched in disbelief.
In response to the incident, the Lopburi government swiftly coordinated with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and dispatched personnel to capture the escaped monkeys and return them to their enclosures. Some staff used firecrackers to scare off the monkeys and guide them back to the sanctuary. However, as night fell, some monkeys remained at large.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the escape. They have yet to determine whether the monkeys opened the cages themselves or if there were human factors involved. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to repair damaged fences, secure possible escape points, and prevent similar incidents from happening again.
The municipal government emphasizes that they are taking the matter seriously and pledge to implement stricter measures to enhance the security of the monkey sanctuary. “We are reinforcing the cages and stepping up surveillance to ensure that such events do not recur.”
Nevertheless, local residents remain disheartened. They urge the Department of National Parks to take greater responsibility for the welfare and control of the monkeys, as these animals are considered protected species.
One resident told a local television station, “DNP should not leave this problem to the city government; they must come and assist in managing the monkeys properly.”
According to Thai.News, the relationship between the monkeys in Lopburi and the city itself is complex. On one hand, these monkeys attract tourists, bringing economic benefits and promoting the local tourism industry’s development. On the other hand, their intelligence and curiosity make them adept escape artists, willing to explore anything unprotected.
The monkey escape incident underscores the delicate balance that government agencies face – the need to protect endangered animal populations while ensuring the safety of residents and properties.