Man key to rising ‘monkey business’ in Ahmedabad

From being considered a deity to being looked at with fear, monkeys evoke diverse emotions. However, in recent times, the conflict between man and monkey has reached new high. According to data collected by the AMC Health Department from the three hospitals it operates, the number of people treated for monkey bites in the city has risen by 272% over the last eight years.

From 61 cases in 2009 to 227 cases in 2017, there has been substantial rise in monkey attacks on humans in Ahmedabad. Experts say this is due to two major reasons — loss of habitat and rise in monkey population. While it has been a gradual rise through the years, the year 2014 saw a spike when 214 bite cases were reported in the city.

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Almost all the bite cases involved Gray Langur, which inhabits Ahmedabad and its surroundings. The rapid expansion of the city has led to loss of their natural habitat. Also, the loss of tree cover within the city confines has left the simians no choice but to wander through society compounds, colleges and other open areas where they can find cover. Complementing this is the rise in the Gray Langur population in recent times. According to census data from Gujarat Ecological Education and Research (GEER) Foundation, the number of monkeys in Ahmedabad rose from 672 in 2015 to 916 in 2017.

Why monkeys attack humans

Loss of habitat and change of leader are the main reasons why monkeys attack humans.Rajesh Bhavsar, Project Coordinator of Wildlife SOS Gujarat, commented, “Mostly it is the defeated male of the group, which after being banished from the ‘troop’, attacks humans out of frustration. Apart from that, loss of habitat and rise in population play a major role in attacks as contesting territory fights between troops can spill over into residential areas.”


Adding that monkeys are also smart animals who hold grudges, Bhavsar said, “When a woman who used to feed a monkey regularly, instead branded him with a hot tawa, the monkey started attacking women in the vicinity. In another case, when an infant was run over by a tractor, the troop attacked only tractors for days on end. In a third case, a monkey was hurt by a burning cigarette by a prankster near a mosque after which he used to wait during evening prayers and then attack worshippers.”

A senior official of the Forest Department said that while monkeys in urban areas have adapted to city conditions, rapid developments like the BRTS lead to deaths of monkeys and revenge attacks on humans. “We have observed that troop leaders have learnt to make their families cross roads when there is no traffic. But with an additional lane due to BRTS, it becomes more complicated for simians, particularly the young ones, who get crushed under vehicles. Revenge attacks begin after such accidents.”

Speaking on how humans are responsible for some attacks, the Forest official said, “Humans are tampering with monkey adaptation and evolution by feeding them when they should not be doing so. Monkey then begin expecting food and when they don’t get it, they attack people.” Vinu Thakor, a paan-shop owner in Adalaj, said “A monkey came suddenly and bit my wife on the finger when she was cleaning the house balcony. She got nine stitches and it took over a month-and-a-half to heal. The same monkey had bitten several others in my society in Adalaj.”

The solution

SJ Pandit, Deputy Conservator of Forests of Ahmedabad, on Tuesday announced that a census would be carried out of monkeys, peafowl and bats. Once it is determined where most number of monkey-related accidents take place, the officials will recommend to the AMC to construct ‘Animal Crossing Overpasses’ to enable simians to cross roads without hindering traffic or getting killed. This will reduce chances of monkeys attacking humans. pecting food and when they don’t get it,


Dos and don’ts

1. Do not irritate or tease monkeys. Leave them alone and they will leave you alone.
2. Do not go near a dead or wounded monkey.
3. Do not feed monkeys.
4. In case a monkey collides with your vehicle, (two wheelers especially) do not stop.
5. Do not ever hit a monkey. Keep hitting the ground with a stick to drive away monkeys from your house or garden.

How to treat bites

Dr Nirmal, RMO of Shardaben Hospital, said, “Paw attacks are more common but if there is a bite, we give the patient a tetanus shot, 3-5 anti-rabies intramuscular shots, anti-rabies serum, analgesic and antibiotics besides dressing the wound.”