Lopburi monkeys escape nursery facility after cage damage

LOPBURI, July 1 (TNA) - Nearly 100 monkeys escaped from a municipal nursery facility in Lopburi province, causing disruptions in surrounding residential areas, while local authorities launched an operation to recapture them. 
These long-tailed macaques were originally rounded up from the city's urban center in 2024 by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to mitigate conflicts with local residents. They had been relocated to the Pho Khao Ton nursery facility as part of a broader population management initiative.
The escaped primates were among more than 1,000 monkeys temporarily transferred by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to the care of the Lopburi Municipality. Following the escape, the monkeys were seen climbing on residential roofs and rummaging through garbage for food. 
Lopburi Governor Weerapong Ritrod, along with local administrative and wildlife officials, held an emergency meeting to coordinate the recapture efforts. 

Teams have been deployed to various locations and have successfully caught a portion of the escaped monkeys. Meanwhile, maintenance crews are reinforcing the damaged section of the enclosure to prevent further escapes. 
The Lopburi Mayor stated that the province is establishing a foundation to manage food expenses and improve the animals' quality of life, noting that hunger, heat, or a desire for freedom may have triggered the escape. 
The mayor apologized to affected residents, adding that officials will survey the damage and provide appropriate compensation. - 819 (TNA)