Department Assists in Monkey Rampage Containment

In Lopburi, Thailand, an incident involving approximately 200 escaped monkeys caused significant disruption as they stormed the local police station. The monkeys, mostly macaques, broke out from their enclosures, forcing police officers to barricade themselves inside to protect property. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has been involved in recapturing the monkeys, with around 40 returning to their enclosures voluntarily. The monkeys are a regular presence in Lopburi, serving as a tourist attraction and part of religious practices honoring the Hindu monkey god Hanuman. Local authorities have attempted various measures such as sterilization and relocation to manage the monkey population, but these have met with limited success. This incident highlights the ongoing struggle between the growing monkey population and local residents facing increasing vandalism and aggression.