Pho kao ton subdistrict: 130 monkeys have escaped from their cages. Authorities are employing drastic measures, including tranquilizing them and setting traps.
According to Thai News Agency, a large troop of monkeys escaped from the municipal animal shelter in Pho Kao Ton Subdistrict, Mueang Lopburi District, Lopburi Province, causing damage to approximately 15 houses and property in the surrounding area, including the Tha Hin Police Station. The escape was attributed to the monkeys shaking the cage at a gap in the roof of the new cage (number A), allowing them to slip through.
Recently, Acting Sub-Lieutenant Songpol Paenkaew, Deputy Governor of Lopburi Province, along with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, the Lopburi Provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment, and other relevant agencies, attempted to capture monkeys in cages. However, this proved difficult, so they changed their strategy to "ambushing and capturing monkeys around people's homes." This strategy relies on the monkeys' natural behavior of roaming around communities and houses in search of food when hungry. Setting up ambush points where monkeys are expected to come down to find food makes capturing them easier and safer for both the officers and the monkeys. They are using tranquilizer guns, cage traps, and bait consisting of corn, lotus seeds, and milk cartons. Over the past two days, more than 130 monkeys have been captured and released, and it is expected that all will be captured within 1-2 days.