Monkeys trapped in Dhanusha settlements, released in forest

Vijay Kumar Sah,Dhalkebar, Feb. 2: The monkeys which were annoying the farmers by eating their food crops, vegetables and fruits in Bateshwar Rural Municipality-1, Chitrapur of Dhanusha, were caught and released into the forest.

Three experienced monkey catchers were brought from Mathura, India, to apprehend the troublesome monkeys which were causing a nuisance to the locals of Chitrapur. 

Ward chairman Ashok Kumar Mahato said that they captured over 500 monkeys from the settlements and farms and relocated them to the Chure forest within a month. He added that they trapped the monkeys in cages and transported them away from the settlements to the forest during the night.

Bhula Kesari of Mathura, a monkey catcher, explained that bananas, almonds, gram, fruits, and other foods were placed inside the cage as bait. Once the monkeys entered the cage out of greed for food, they were securely closed and taken to a safe location for release, he added.

He explained, “Initially, we entice the monkeys by offering food. Then, we secure them in a cage. By employing this method and releasing them in a safe forest, the monkeys remain unharmed.”

For the past few years, due to the dense vegetation in Chitrapur village, monkeys have been entering fields and causing damage to crops, vegetables, and fruits. Additionally, they have been entering houses and causing further damage.

A month ago, locals, who were enduring the havoc caused by monkeys, locked the ward office, demanding that the monkey menace be controlled. Following this, Ward Chairman Mahato invited an experienced individual from Mathura, India, to address the issue. 

Bateshwar Rural Municipality allocated Rs. 500,000 to mitigate the monkey menace.

Locals expressed relief after the monkeys were successfully driven away, although they remain concerned about the continued presence of Nilgai (blue cow) which still poses a threat to their crops.