Oct 22, 2025
Long-tailed macaques rest at Phra Prang Sam Yot temple in Lopburi, Thailand. Prior to the Covid outbreak, the town was known as Monkey City; residents would feed the 3,000 local macaques and even threw an annual fruit banquet for them, drawing tourists. All this stopped during lockdown and the monkeys turned feral, scrounging food and brawling. “We have to cage ourselves inside; we have no freedom even on the premises of our own homes,” said Jirat Buapromart, 54. “They are ready to steal anything they can from us.” Officials are hoping to catch and sterilise as many macaques as they can
Photograph: Chalinee Thirasupa/Reuters
