In a surprising turn of events, nearly 100 monkeys managed to escape from a government-operated enclosure in central Thailand, causing a stir in local neighborhoods. As a result, authorities initiated an extensive operation to recapture the primates.
Authorities reported that the monkeys breached a section of the enclosure at the Lopburi Municipality Animal Nursery.
These monkeys had been under the care of local officials after being relocated from Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. Fortunately, staff managed to prevent over 1,000 other monkeys housed at the facility from escaping.
Monkeys enjoy fruit during the annual Monkey Banquet at Lopburi Zoo in Lopburi, Thailand, on Nov. 24, 2024. Following the escape of nearly 100 monkeys from a nearby governmental enclosure, authorities undertook a major campaign to manage the situation. (Anusak Laowilas/NurPhoto)
In response to the breakout, provincial leaders, wildlife officials, and municipal team members scoured local residential areas on Tuesday.
Authorities used food-baited cages to lure some of the escaped monkeys back into custody. Other monkeys, including some of the larger and more dominant macaques, had to be subdued with tranquilizer darts before they could be captured.
Crews repaired the damaged enclosure while officials continued efforts to recapture the escaped monkeys.
Monkeys wait to be fed inside an enclosure during the annual Monkey Banquet at Lopburi Zoo in Lopburi, Thailand, on Nov. 24, 2024. Authorities launched a large-scale operation after nearly 100 monkeys escaped from a municipal enclosure in the city. (Anusak Laowilas/NurPhoto)
Lopburi Gov. Weeraphong Ritrod said the damaged enclosure had been repaired and reinforced to help prevent additional escapes.
He said officials also plan to build a more secure, double-layer enclosure designed to keep dominant monkeys from breaking out in the future.
The governor said the province is also preparing to establish a foundation to help support food costs and improve the monkeys’ welfare.
A captured monkey sits inside a cage during a sterilization program at the Monkey Hospital in Lopburi province, Thailand, on June 21, 2020. Officials have worked for years to manage Lopburi’s macaque population after the animals caused problems for residents and businesses. (Anusak Laowilas/NurPhoto)
Mayor Chamroen Salacheep said the monkeys may have escaped because of hunger, extreme heat, overcrowding or their natural instinct to roam.
He also apologized to residents affected by the incident and encouraged anyone whose property was damaged to report it so authorities could assess the damage and determine what assistance may be available.
Lopburi has long been known for its large population of free-roaming macaques.
The monkeys have also caused problems for residents and businesses because of property damage and aggressive behavior. Authorities have worked in recent years to reduce the monkey population through sterilization programs and by relocating some animals to dedicated enclosures.
News Media reached out to the Lopburi Municipality and Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation for comment but did not immediately receive a response.