Nestled snugly in the elegant landscape of neighbouring Saraburi province, is an enigmatic old town named Lopburi. This idyllic locale is well-known on the international circuit for its captivating annual ritual, the Monkey Buffet. On this special day, the diligent townsfolk generously dole out a smorgasbord of delectable treats to the town’s resident Whiskered Macaques.
A charismatic local, Suttipong Kamtaptim, who bears the mantle of Director of the Wildlife Conservation Division in Saraburi province, went into some detail about a recent venture of his department. The macaques, though a charming novelty, were processed to strike a balance between their burgeoning population numbers and their increasingly audacious behaviour- a regular source of entertainment and occasional concern to both locals and tourists alike.
“Sterilisation of these macaques transpired at a place that embraces animal care wholeheartedly – The Monkey Hospital at Lopburi Zoo,” Suttipong added revealingly.
The process adopted was thorough and humane. While raw statistics indicated that 57 male and 90 female macaques had undergone the sterilisation procedure during the past period, three females, kissed by the glow of pregnancy, were exempted from this process.
Highlighting the intricate details of the operation, Suttipong elaborated that each primate was lovingly sedated before they were weighed and cleaned. A unique marking system imprinted on their arms allowed their origin, place and the year of sterilisation to be followed. It ensured that each creature could be reunited with their kin upon their return.
“These sterilised macaques were benevolently supervised for two days under strict medical oversight until they were fit enough to be released at the site of their capture,” Suttipong said in a profound yet matter-of-fact way.
This year, the successful sterilisation figures reached a whopping 322, composed of 154 males and 168 females. The onset of this groundbreaking sterilisation campaign had its first victory at the beginning of this year between January 19 and 28.
“Officials at Lopburi are not simply rubber-stamping policy but are wholeheartedly dedicated to devising a practical, long-term solution for the monkey predicament. Our underlying objective is to invoke a peaceful coexistence between man and monkey,” Suttipong stated assuringly.
A perfect mix of intriguing historical locales and extraordinary natural bounty, Lopburi continues its journey on the exquisite path of harmonious wildlife management, preserving its charm and cohabitation between human and primate. This journey is a testament to Lopburi’s enduring commitment towards wildlife preservation at its best.
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