Invasive Monkeys Threaten Gir's Lions and Crops

An unexpected influx of red-faced monkeys, identified as Rhesus macaques, has been reported in the Bhesan region of Gujarat, situated close to the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary. Wildlife photographer Bhushan Pandya has alerted the state government to this alarming development, describing it as dangerous for the local ecosystem and its native species. These monkeys, not typically found in the Saurashtra region, are already causing substantial damage to farmlands.

Farmers are experiencing significant financial losses as the invading monkeys destroy roof tiles, solar panels, and communication lines, alongside ravaging crops, including the prized Kesar mangoes. Existing security measures like walls and fencing, designed for other animals, are proving ineffective against these aggressive primates. Concerns are mounting over their potential to outcompete native Hanuman langurs and spread diseases harmful to the iconic Asiatic lions.

Given the aggressive and omnivorous nature of the red-faced monkeys compared to the calm, herbivorous langurs, urgent intervention is called for. Wildlife experts are urging authorities to capture and relocate these invasive animals to their natural habitats before their numbers proliferate and they further infiltrate the Gir landscape, posing an insurmountable ecological challenge.