Bangkok Post – 73 monkeys captured in Lop Buri

Authorities hope to arrest 200 to 300 macaques by Tuesday

Seventy-three monkeys were captured on Friday during the resumption of an operation to remove troublesome primates from the town of Lop Buri, according to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP).

More than 50 people are participating in the operation, which is expected to run until Tuesday, according to Veera Kunchairuk, deputy director general of the department.

Cages were set up in front of the Asia Hotel, from the Seng Heng Store to the Yongsawat Gold Store, and near a building next to Ratchanusorn Park.

To help reduce the local population, the department’s services hope to bring together between 200 and 300 macaques in this area.

All captured animals will be sterilized before being taken to the Lop Buri Monkey Park in Muang district.

Lop Buri town and surrounding areas are currently home to around 2,000 monkeys. For years, local people have complained about the animals stealing their food or destroying their belongings.

The first batch of 27 animals captured in early May and later transferred to the monkey park showed a reduction in their aggressive behavior thanks to improved food, officials said.

The department plans to expand its operations in the city at Manohra Mall, where nearly 500 monkeys tend to congregate.

A large cage will be built to house these monkeys at the Khao Somphot wildlife sanctuary in the province’s Chai Badan district, Mr Veera said.