The #1 source for news about monkeys and apes

[Carrie McLaren <temporary181 AT stayfreemagazine.org>]

Indian Police Hunt Monkey That Stole Tourist's Glasses
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,289554,00.html

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

LUCKNOW, India  -  A South Korean tourist has filed a formal 
complaint against a monkey he says stole his reading glasses during 
his visit to the Hindu holy city of Varanasi in northern India.

Kim Dang Hoon says he opened his hotel room window for fresh air when 
the monkey made his move.

"He headed straight to the table where my glasses were kept and took 
it away," Kim said in the statement.

Part of the frame later was recovered by hotel staff and Kim said he 
filed the report so he can make a damages claim on his travel 
insurance.

Thousands of wild monkeys roam Varanasi, dotting the trees on the 
banks of the Ganges River and scampering through the city's many 
temples, where they are venerated as manifestations of the Hindu 
monkey god Hanuman.

On Tuesday, police combed Varanasi's alleys searching for the monkey.

"It is difficult to trace the monkey but I am trying my best to 
locate the rogue," investigating officer Inspector Govind Singh said 
from Varanasi, some 185 miles southeast of Lucknow.

Problems with monkeys harassing tourists in the city are common, Singh said.

"But we can't do anything. We cannot shoot them or beat them as 
Hindus worship monkeys," he said.