Latest news with #monkeys
Arab News
5 hours ago
- General
- Arab News
Monkeys cross from Israel into southern Lebanese town exposing border vulnerabilities
RAMIEH: In a scene more befitting a nature documentary than a border incident, residents of the southern Lebanese town of Ramieh reported an unusual intrusion Thursday: a group of monkeys crossing in from the Israeli side. According to the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA), the primates were seen roaming the outskirts of the village in what is being viewed as the latest — and perhaps most bizarre — breach along the fragile Lebanese-Israeli border. This primate incursion follows a separate incident just weeks ago, when a herd of Israeli cattle wandered into Ramieh and neighboring Aita Al-Shaab, reportedly exploiting gaps in the fence separating the two countries. Local sources told NNA that these repeated animal crossings are the result of structural openings in the Israeli border barrier, which have allegedly been created — and at times used — by the Israeli army for nightime incursions into Lebanese territory.
CNA
2 days ago
- CNA
Monkey intruders in Singapore: Here's how to stay one step ahead of them
SINGAPORE: In Almond Estate, in the west of Singapore, wild thieves have stolen virtually everything under the sun, from medicine to cosmetics to vehicle parts. Residents Pankaj Kumar and Alka Verma had the wing mirrors on their car stolen twice. That cost them between S$200 and S$300. It also happened to their neighbours and even a visitor. 'One day, a guest's car was just here, and … by the time I rushed to the car, both mirrors were gone,' recounted Verma. The married couple now hand out mirror covers to their guests who park in the estate, which is made up of mainly landed homes. Their household was one of five that reached out to the programme Talking Point after repeated monkey intrusions. 'You're looking at the monkeys, and they're on the top of the trees, laughing at you with the mirrors,' said Kumar. 'It's not only the case with us. Most of our neighbours have faced issues of monkeys taking away vitamins or cosmetics.' Verma recalled a monkey swiping a computer mouse from her house. 'They're very aggressive,' she said. Another resident, Robin Lo, said monkeys were even pulling windshield wipers off cars. Many households now keep their windows and doors closed for most of the day, according to Toh Ai Ling. 'We're imprisoned in our own homes.' These residents are not alone in 'having to bear' with this monkey business. Compared to a decade ago, the government logged a 35 per cent jump in monkey-related feedback to about 2,500 cases annually between 2017 and 2023. Many of the incidents, including intrusions, attacks and feeding issues, involved Singapore's native long-tailed macaques. Talking Point finds out why these macaques are venturing into residential estates more than ever — where anything from snacks to shiny objects might be fair game for them — and what residents can do to stay one step ahead. FOREST FORAGERS TURNED URBAN EXPLORERS Long-tailed macaques are highly intelligent, social animals that forage in close-knit troops and are known to be territorial. These omnivores eat just about everything, including insects, fruit, scraps and small animals. Adults, especially males, can inflict serious wounds with their sharp canines when provoked. With urbanisation continuing to break up and shrink Singapore's remaining patches of forest, the monkeys' movements are increasingly bringing them into contact and, as likely as not, conflict with people. 'If you look at satellite imagery from just a decade ago, a lot of forests have been lost,' said Kalaivanan Balakrishnan, chief executive officer of the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES). The monkeys have 'no choice but to pass by our urban areas', added ACRES senior wildlife coordinator Karina Lim. And they have adapted to urban life. Besides scaling high-rise blocks to raid kitchens, they also target plastic bags, such as those used for food deliveries. 'Macaques have learnt that that's where the food will be,' said Lim, who handles an average of 23 monkey-related hotline calls a month. 'They've learnt how to open all these parcels … to see if they can find anything of value.' Then there are people who feed monkeys, which conditions the animals to further associate humans with food. This, in turn, reduces their inclination to forage in the forest, according to the National Parks Board (NParks), which manages human-wildlife conflict. Most of the feeders tend to be from the older generation, 'who may feel empathetic towards the animals', said Kalaivanan. While ACRES has reached out to feeders, enforcement must also be stepped up, he urged. 'Generally, they'll be like, 'I don't care. I'm just going to continue feeding (monkeys).'' Human-monkey encounters were once common only near nature reserves and catchment areas, like in Bukit Timah and Upper Thomson. But the numbers are climbing island-wide now. At the northeastern corner of Singapore, public safety concerns led the authorities to trap 50 monkeys in Punggol last year. The majority were sterilised. But their relocation to Coney Island — where there is insufficient food for them, said Kalaivanan — has not proved successful. Instead, they keep returning to Punggol. Andie Ang, who heads Mandai Nature's primate conservation and Singapore programmes, said there is no guarantee that measures such as relocation can work. 'The monkeys are going to a new environment where there could be other monkeys. … They might have fights,' she said. As for sterilisation, it would 'take a long time' to see its effect on the population. Finally, culling, which is considered a last resort when monkeys are aggressive and unsuitable for relocation, could also backfire. Removing monkeys makes it easier for other competing monkeys to move into that territory later. 'Culling doesn't solve the problem,' said Ang. 'The residents might not be happy after a while, when they see that the monkeys are (still around).' MANAGING MONKEY MISCHIEF Since Singapore cannot be rid of monkeys, there are other efforts underway to keep them at bay, including steps that residents, too, can take. When it comes to protecting your home from intrusions, the first thing is to keep food out of sight of the monkeys. NParks has rolled out monkey-proof bins in some hotspots to minimise access to food outdoors. These are bins with weighted lids, which can also be opened by stepping on a pedal — and which are too heavy to open for macaques. Those who own landed property can secure their own bins using bungee cords. NParks officers also patrol the edges of forested areas, using tools such as laser pointers to startle the macaques and drive them back into their natural habitat. But these creatures can 'get used to' these deterrents, said NParks' wildlife management and outreach director, Cyrena Lin. So the officers must vary their tactics. To boost the monkeys' natural food sources and reduce their need to forage in residential areas, NParks has planted more fruit trees on Coney Island. Then there are community-led efforts like the Monkey Guards programme run by the Jane Goodall Institute (Singapore). Besides educating people about macaques and the importance of not feeding them, its volunteers are trained to patrol residential areas and deter monkeys. 'We use tools, sticks or use (our) voice, our height, our size,' cited Monkey Guards programme lead Sabrina Jabbar, to 'push' the monkeys to other places, for example back into their forest. For members of the public who encounter monkeys, there are warning signs if the animals feel threatened. They will bare their teeth, shriek or make what Jabbar calls 'fake lunges'. 'They'll run towards you, they'll stop right in front of your feet, … then they'll reverse,' she said. 'If you stand your ground, they'll notice that it's not working.' She also recommends finding safety in numbers. 'Let's say you're walking on your own, you don't feel comfortable, and there are people around you, just join them,' she said. '(With) more people, the macaques will just move away.'
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Gang of ‘scammer' monkeys caught targeting tourists & making off with up to ten luxury phones a DAY – to trade for food
A GANG of mischievous monkeys has been stealing tourists' phones at a popular cliff-side temple in Bali. The primates are said to be "running a scam" operation at the busy tourist spot. 6 6 6 6 This is because the long-tailed macaques are nicking people's phones and wallets - only to hold them ransom in exchange for food, the Wall Street Journal has reported. Around 600 of these roguish monkeys live at Uluwatu Temple - a Hindu place of worship overlooking the Indian Ocean. But despite their peaceful abode, they are engaged in an "unprecedented economic decision-making processes", according to researchers. A team from the University of Lethbridge looked at reams of footage of the monkeys in action. They macaques steal as many as 10 smartphones every day from tourists - amounting to dozens of valuables each week, according to monkey handler Ketut Ariana. Crucially, they also seem to be able to differentiate between high value items and possessions tourists care less about. This leads them to go after phones and glasses over objects like hats and hair clips. Given the monkey's thefts, the assistance of "pawang" is often needed - monkey handlers who will offer them fruit if they give back the stolen items. London tourist Jonathan Hammé told the Wall Street Journal: "The monkeys have taken over the temple. "They're running a scam." Molly-Mae's 'pretentious' sister Zoe slammed as 'ridiculous' for leaving Bali after 2 days as it 'didn't feel right' Taylor Utley, 36, from Kentucky, told the paper she had her phone swiped by one of the monkeys last year. She had to wait for a monkey handler to offer the primate fruit until it dropped the stolen device. "I was taken aback," she said. "It's like a criminal enterprise of monkeys." Uluwatu Temple has brought in a different feeding schedule for the monkeys in a bid to drive down the thefts. But the Wall Street Journal reports this has not made a difference, according to Ketut Ariana. The monkey handler added that when the temple first opened for visitors, tourists would often feed the macaques themselves. But when the temple stopped letting guests feed them, the monkeys began to steal their belongings. Many locals are said to consider the macaques to be sacred guardians of the temple. The site is believed to date to the 10th or 11th century. 6 6
Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- Khaleej Times
India: Two killed, 19 injured after snapped electric wire causes panic at temple
At least two people were killed when a crowd panicked after an electric wire snapped outside a temple in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh, authorities said. A group of monkeys jumped onto an electric wire outside the Ausaneshwar Mahadev Temple in the Barabanki region, causing it to snap and fall on a shed, triggering panic, District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi said. 19 people were electrocuted and injured, he said. "Two people were killed today in a stampede-like situation (at the temple) early in the morning," a senior police officer, who did not want to be named, told Reuters. The incident occurred around 2am (2030 GMT Sunday), the area's chief medical officer said, when some people at the temple "came in contact" with the electric wire, causing panic. Accidents involving large crowds are not uncommon at religious gatherings in India, and are often blamed on poor crowd management. On Sunday, at least six people were killed in a stampede after a large crowd gathered at the Mansa Devi temple in the northern Indian city of Haridwar. In January, at least 30 people were killed in a pre-dawn crowd crush at the Maha Kumbh (Great Pitcher) festival in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj, as tens of millions gathered to take a dip in sacred river waters on its most auspicious day. Six people were also killed in a stampede in neighbouring Uttarakhand state's Haridwar on Sunday, where a large crowd gathered to offer prayers at the Mansa Devi temple.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
1.5 million Aussie travellers warned of hidden health risk on popular holiday island
As chilly weather continues to challenge the constitution of many sun-loving Aussies, those with a little leave up their sleeves are considering flights to Bali. But a leading wildlife vet is warning that many holidaymakers are oblivious to a hidden danger posed by one of the destination's most popular animals, the monkey. Dr Tania Bishop is concerned that people 'don't think twice' about feeding monkeys or allowing them to jump all over them in Bali, even though there's a risk they could be carrying rabies. Tourists are less likely to come into contact with stray dogs, but they are the animal that most commonly bites locals. Last year, 39,000 people were bitten by rabies-infected animals, and at least four people died, including a four-year-old child. 'It's endemic in a lot of countries up north. Any mammal could potentially have it,' Bishop told Yahoo News. Australia has a reputation that everything will kill you, but if you stay away from crocodiles and snakes, then there are few real concerns other than swooping magpies or the large and relatively harmless huntsman spiders. So most of the country's population isn't used to thinking about animal viruses, and when they're five Bintangs in after lunch at the beach club, and getting a little too confident with the wildlife, it's a recipe for trouble. Roughly 1 to 1.5 million Aussies visit Bali each year, and until 2008 they had little to worry about as the island was considered rabies-free. But it's believed the animal smuggling led to its establishment, and now there are regular outbreaks. Rabies is also known to also occur in Thailand, Sri Lanka, India and China. And despite the disease being entirely preventable, more than 59,000 people die from infections each year, most of them in Asia and Africa. Symptoms include hallucinations, a fear of water, and a fever. Anyone who comes into contact with an infected animal is urged to seek immediate medical treatment. 😳 Australia called out for 'failing' two rare species facing extinction 🚨 Mass bird poisoning fears at suburban shopping centre 🦁 Zoo defends $180 experience after video 'stunt' sparks concern While Bishop is not advocating for everyone to get vaccinated before visiting Bali or Thailand, she believes anyone travelling to countries with rabies should know the risks and consider their options. Because once symptoms begin to appear and an infection is established, there is no cure. 'You're better safe than sorry, because once you're sick with it, it's fatal. It's not the nicest vaccine regime, but it's better than the alternative,' she said. 'It's important to talk to your doctor about risk versus benefit.' Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
