The #1 source for news about monkeys and apes

[Josh Greenman <josh.greenman AT gmail.com>]

http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSTRE57K0TO20090821

No monkey business: Thailand launches primate birth control

Fri Aug 21, 2009 3:21am EDT

By Noppawan Bunluesilp

LOPBURI, Thailand (Reuters Life!) - Thailand is trying to limit the
number of monkeys that roam freely in the town of Lopburi after
residents complained the primate tourist attractions are becoming more
annoying, and aggressive.

About 2,500 macaques live in close proximity to the people of Lopburi,
north of Bangkok, scrambling around its famous, ancient Hindu-Buddhist
shrine and Khmer-style pagodas as well as homes and the local market.

The monkeys often snatch bags away from passers-by, and even enter
homes to steal food and play. Barbed wire and iron fences are a common
sight on buildings to deter them.

For years, residents have tolerated the animals, but the monkey
population is growing rapidly and intensifying the battle with humans
for food and living space.

Veterinarians, who are sterilizing male monkeys, say this will benefit
the macaques, not just the people.

"There is not enough food or homes for monkeys," said veterinarian
Juthamas Sumanam. "If their numbers increase, people will be in
trouble as well as the monkeys."

Every day, a team of vets marches into alleyways, armed with candy
bags to tempt the monkeys, who are then captured and operated on.

At least half of the 1,500 male macaques are expected to be sterilized
as part of the program. Male monkeys can mate 10 times a day and
females can give birth twice a year.

The sterilization procedure takes around half an hour. The monkeys are
released back into their concrete jungle the next day, after they have
recovered.

Last year, the primates gave birth to 500 babies. Veterinarians are
aiming for a maximum of 300 from now on.

But while the monkeys can often be an annoyance, not everyone in
Lopburi, which thousands of visitors a year come to partly to see the
animals, agrees with the program.

"The main attraction in Lopburi is monkeys. The tourists only come
here to see monkeys. Only a few of them come here to see the ancient
shrine," said temple worker Saksit Saepoo.

Macaques can live up to 35 years.

(Editing by Miral Fahmy)