When the pandemic hit Thailand, two groups of wildlife were dramatically affected: the macaques of Lopburi city as well as elephants, one of the country's main tourist attractions. By June, local authorities accounted for nearly 6,000 macaques taking over the ancient city.
By September, the Lopburi province had nearly 9,000 macaques with 4,600 in the region's capital city. For the past months, the locals were forced to coexist with the rapid increase of the crab-eating macaques.
Locals have been feeding them sugary food, which is believed to increase their breeding rate. Most of the monkeys are found at the Phra Prang Sam Yod Temple, or the Monkey Temple.
Before the pandemic banned international travel, the macaques relied on fruits, seeds, peanuts, and other snacks from tourists. When Thailand's borders closed, the macaques resorted to stealing from food vendors and locals. To try and keep the peace, locals would feed the macaques candy, juice, and other junk food.
Macaques Affected by the Pandemic
A fruit vendor near the temple, Anekchart, shared that they adapted to the macaque population by selling their produce as usual and using a slingshot to pretend to fire at the thieves. The macaques run away from the weapon without getting hit.
The macaque population has become so large that there are even territorial and "gang wars." Manus Wimuktipan from the Lopburi Monkey Foundation shared that there are currently three main groups of macaques. The three main gangs have taken over an abandoned cinema and near the temple. There are also smaller groups all over the city.
In March, a video went viral capturing three macaque gangs fighting after spotting someone bringing bottles of fermented sweet milk. Every group coveted the sugary drink and fiercely fought to claim the bottles of milk.
"The monkeys have begun to wait at garbage bins at shops and department stores where humans dump all those tasty foods and snacks," said Manus. "They have become addicted to human food because it is tasty."
Narongporn said that they've been trying to educate both locals and tourists not to feed the macaques food that contains a lot of sugar and carbohydrates. They rot the macaques' teeth as well as increase their breeding significantly.
Typically, macaques would give birth once a year. However, spoiled city monkeys give birth twice a year.
Read Also: 6,000 'Mad' Macaques Known to Be Notorious Thieves Have Taken Over a Thai City
Coexisting with the Macaques
For centuries, macaques symbolized good fortune and were believed to represent the Hindu god Hanuman. In Hindu mythology, Hanuman was the commander of the monkey army and known for his strength and loyalty.
As urbanization grew in the Lopburi province, the forest's monkeys remained and coexisted with the locals. The macaques had greatly increased global tourism in the region, especially in Lopburi city. Narongporn Doodduem of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife said that locals cannot use collected rainwater from their roofs because of macaque feces. "Many also cannot grow crops as they would be destroyed by monkeys."
To reduce the macaque population, the province launched a sterilization campaign. This year, 1,200 monkeys were sterilized compared to 400 monkeys every year in previous years.
Read Also : British Supermarket Stops Selling Coconut Products Allegedly Harvested by Thai Monkey Slaves
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