Migrating monkeys get ‘shock’ welcome

Mumbai: Cases of monkeys being electrocuted seem to be on the rise in the past two months. Five monkeys have died in the past two months after being electrocuted, including two in December. Animal welfare officers handling such cases say the monkeys face this problem as they are migrating to the city due to rapid deforestation and also fall prey to man-animal conflict.

November saw five cases of monkeys being electrocuted, out of which three died. Amidst this, the Thane Society Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TSPCA) currently has in its care six adult monkeys, six babies and five-baby langurs. TSPCA officials on Saturday rescued a severely burnt Bonnet monkey. His tail had been amputated during electrocution. His hand was gangrened, and face severely burnt. “Even after fighting for several hours, our vets could not save the monkey. It was noticed by locals and was being treated by them. However, when they learnt about the hospital, the monkey was admitted to the hospital,” said Shakutala Majumdar, the president of TSPCA.

“In this case too a separate medical centre might have been helpful for giving exclusive attention to the primate. Without any expectation of being reimbursed for what we do, our only appeal is a transit centre for this urban wildlife,” said Mrs Majumdar.

She further added, “There have been several cases of burns in monkeys. However, many of them are also victims of man-animal conflicts. Whenever there is an injured monkey or animal it needs urgent and immediate help. This makes the need for transit centre more important.”     

On December 12, locals in Chembur spotted a monkey that had fallen on barbed wire. It survived after treatment. However, a second second monkey rescued earlier in December could not be saved and succumbed to intensive injuries.