A monkey holding food on a roof in Ngọc Diêm Village. — Photo sggp.org.vn

KHÁNH HÒA — A troop of around 200 monkeys has been creating havoc in the residential area in Ngọc Diêm Village in the south-central province of Khánh Hòa in recent days.

The troop, made up of monkeys of different sizes, has recently been raiding residential areas and farms of eggs, fruits and corn at 7-9am and 4-6pm.

According to residents, only a few monkeys appeared at first, who were easily scared away by loud noises. However, as the troop has grown larger, they have become more brazen and are losing their fear of humans.

Bùi Thị Thùy Liên, chairman of Ninh Ích Commune’s People’s Committee, has reported the incident to the authorities and has asked the forestry authority to find a solution.

Liên is concerned that the monkeys, especially when they are hungry, could become aggressive and pose a threat to the residents, particularly children.

The commune has also advised residents to adhere to regulations regarding the protection and management of wild animals and has encouraged 27 households in the Núi Bé hill area to pledge to protect, rather than hunt the monkeys.

Liên expressed concerns about the rapid growth of the monkey population and the decreasing availability of food in their natural habitat.

Two years ago, local fishermen in Ngọc Diệm Commune brought home a monkey they found swimming in the sea near Hòn Thị Island.

The number of monkeys kept as pets has increased since then, and when they mature, they are released back into the Núi Bé hill area. — VNS