As villagers in India feared for their lives following a three day assault by a rampaging beast, an animal behaviourist and vet has revealed what to do if you find yourself under attack from a monkey.
Residents of Salepur, Odisha, India were forced to go into hiding this week after a crazed monkey left six people severely injured.
The monkey has become so dangerous, local media reports, that those in its territory have been forced to carry a stick for their own protection.
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Paola Cuevas, a vet and animal behaviourist at caster.com, said that monkeys, particularly those in touristy spots have become desensitised to humans who they see as food sources. In tourists hotspots such as the Monkey Forest in Ubud, Bali, Sabah in Borneo, and various towns and cities across India, brazen monkeys often raid bags for treats.
She said: “In situations where they see humans as a source of food because humans have fed them in the past monkeys can get very pushy to the point of stealing and even attacking a human.”
Paola added that monkeys will also attack humans if they feel threatened, and that all species, including chimpanzees, baboons, mandrils and macaques can be aggressive, competitive and territorial, and protective of their resources.
As monkeys can be riddled with diseases such as herpes, rabies, hepatitis and zoonotic diseases, avoiding contact with the critters is the aim of the game.
While your instinct might be to flee when confronted with an angry, disease-carrying monkey, Paola advises to stay put.
She says: “Do not run away, as this will show your fear and subordination to them triggering even more of their aggressive instincts.”
Instead, she suggests to “move away slowly while watching them”.
Don’t attempt to fight back as you want to avoid physical contact, Paola explained, adding: “Depending on the species of monkey some are stronger than us so we have no chance of winning if we fight back. But even with a smaller monkey, physical contact means the risk of bites and scratches.”
In order to minimise injuries, “show monkeys your empty hands and that you have no food, Paola goes on. “Avoid playing tug of war if they are after some of your belongings, let them take it and avoid injury.
“Do your best to keep calm and try not to show your fear,” she added.
If you are under siege by a gang of the wild beasts, a loud “novel” noise, not a scream, might scare them. However Paola warned: But it depends on many factors including the species, the trigger, the location, and the individual.
“The general rule is to avoid physical confrontation when possible, let them have it whether it is your phone, glasses, camera, or bags, nothing is worth the health risk of being bitten by them.”
To avoid confrontation all together, don’t get close to them and don’t feed them Paola said, or even look at them or flash a smile their way.
Paola said: “Know that in monkey language staring can be interpreted as a threat and showing your teeth is an aggression precursor.
“If a monkey is looking at you and seems to be smiling, it is best to look away.”
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