1-minute News | When 'Uproar in Heaven' comes true: Over 200 monkeys in Thailand escape en Masse

Around 200 monkeys escaped from the Pho Kao Ton Animal Nursery Center in Lopburi, Thailand on Nov. 16, damaging the facility's enclosures. They took to the streets, invaded homes in search of food, and even collectively stormed a nearby police station. Officers had to retreat inside the station, closing doors and windows to protect the property. So far, only 40 monkeys have returned to their cages, and officials are still capturing the remaining escapees.

According to Thai media reports, the chaos began when the monkey group broke free from the center, causing panic among residents and even entering the Tha Hin police station. "We had to ensure that the doors and windows were closed to prevent them from entering the building in search of food," said the police chief of the central region. He noted that the out-of-control monkeys could damage property, including police documents.

Authorities stated that the enclosures at the nursery appeared to have been damaged due to the collective force of the monkeys shaking them. Staff are currently placing food inside the cages to lure the monkeys back, successfully capturing 40 so far. Additionally, the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has dispatched personnel to capture the remaining escapees.

The monkey population in Lopburi has become a local tourist attraction. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the monkeys became more aggressive due to a lack of tourist food and have multiplied, causing disruptions for residents. There have been instances of monkeys attacking people, stealing belongings, and even occupying buildings.

Earlier this year, authorities in Lopburi decided to adopt stricter measures to control the monkey population, including using slingshots and traps to capture them. Currently, over 2,000 monkeys are held in the Pho Kao Ton area. Furthermore, the government has approved a budget of 26 million baht (approximately HK$5.84 million) to construct a new enclosure to accommodate more monkeys.

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