Lopburi Municipality in central Thailand faced an unusual challenge when nearly 100 monkeys escaped from a government enclosure. The animals broke through a section of the enclosure, leading to a large-scale effort to capture them. Local authorities housed these monkeys after their transfer from Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. Despite the escape, workers managed to secure over 1,000 other monkeys.
On Tuesday, provincial officials, wildlife authorities, and municipal workers searched residential areas to recapture the escaped monkeys. They used food-baited cages to attract some monkeys, while tranquilizer darts were necessary for larger, dominant macaques.
The damaged enclosure has been repaired and reinforced to prevent future incidents. Governor Weeraphong Ritrod announced plans to build a more robust, double-layer enclosure to secure the monkeys. Additionally, a foundation is being prepared to support food costs and enhance the welfare of the monkeys.
Mayor Chamroen Salacheep suggested the monkeys’ escape may have resulted from hunger, extreme temperatures, overcrowding, or their instinct to roam. He issued an apology to residents affected by the incident and encouraged property damage reports for assessment and assistance.
Lopburi is notable for its extensive population of free-roaming macaques. These monkeys have been a challenge for the community, posing issues such as property damage and aggressive behavior. Authorities have enacted sterilization programs and relocated some animals to manage the population effectively.
Fox News Digital initiated contact with Lopburi Municipality and Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation for comments but did not receive immediate responses.
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