Indonesia captures monkey after two-week rampage injures 18

Animal trappers have successfully captured a monkey in Tembilahan, Indonesia, bringing an end to a two-week spree of attacks that left 18 residents injured. The long-tailed macaque had been randomly targeting people, biting and clawing its victims, including children and the elderly.

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As of today, there were 19 attacks, with 18 victims. One victim was attacked twice.

The primate's aggressive behavior led to the closure of approximately 40 schools in Tembilahan, forcing hundreds of students into three days of online learning out of fear for their safety. Schools are set to reopen next Monday, provided the area is deemed safe.

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The concern is that there may be other monkeys attacking people.

Junaidy Ismail, head of the Tembilahan fire and rescue service, reported that 19 attacks occurred, resulting in 18 victims, with one person attacked twice. Some victims required extensive medical attention, including multiple stitches and rabies shots.

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We want to establish whether the monkey is carrying any diseases.

While the captured monkey is alive and undergoing tests in Pekanbaru, officials like town official Ari Syuria urge continued caution, suggesting the possibility of other monkeys being involved. The incident highlights the ongoing issue of human-animal conflict in Indonesia, often exacerbated by habitat loss due to palm oil plantations, which forces wildlife into closer proximity with human settlements.

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It's not easy to look for food in the forest... It is easier to get food by living near humans... by stealing.