PHUKET: Baby macaque monkeys are being stolen by a gang from a hilly sanctuary in Phuket City, says an animal lover.
The man, who jogs up Toh Sae hill - otherwise known as Monkey Hill - most days, says that earlier this month he saw a gang of men in a pickup attempting to poach young macaques.
''I believe the small monkeys would have value in being sold as pets or used by photo touts to take money from tourists,'' he said.
The animal lover has called for authorities to investigate whether the number of young monkeys is diminishing, as he believes.
Several hundred macaques are thought to inhabit jungle on the hill in large troops.
Signs on the hill warn tourists of the danger of being bitten if they feed the wild monkeys.
A neighboring Phuket City hill, Koh Rang, is even more popular with tourists and also home to troops of macaques.
The man, who jogs up Toh Sae hill - otherwise known as Monkey Hill - most days, says that earlier this month he saw a gang of men in a pickup attempting to poach young macaques.
''I believe the small monkeys would have value in being sold as pets or used by photo touts to take money from tourists,'' he said.
The animal lover has called for authorities to investigate whether the number of young monkeys is diminishing, as he believes.
Several hundred macaques are thought to inhabit jungle on the hill in large troops.
Signs on the hill warn tourists of the danger of being bitten if they feed the wild monkeys.
A neighboring Phuket City hill, Koh Rang, is even more popular with tourists and also home to troops of macaques.
Macaque can be very dangerous and very much doubt to be used as pets or by touts. Never seen them used for either purpose in twenty five years here.
Have heard of them being used in black magic though.
Posted by Michael on July 29, 2015 11:21