Tourist-terrorising monkeys removed from Angkor

via Khmer Times, 30 December 2020 (and other stories below): The Apsara Authority captured some of the monkeys roaming the Bayon temple area for relocation, which can be quite aggressive and dangerous to tourists. Some reports mention about locals protesting the relocation on grounds of animal cruelty.

The Apsara Authority has captured some ferocious monkeys at the Bayon temple and released them into the forest outside Angkor Park after they have been terrorising tourists.

Apsara spokesman Long Kosal told Khmer Times yesterday that authorities caught 16 monkeys from the Bayon temple area.

“We had a clear goal in this operation. We aimed to make tourists’ visits safe and without being affected by monkeys. In the past, monkeys have grabbed food from people, caused annoyance and sometimes directly attacked tourists,” he said. “In addition, the monkeys also pose a risk to the temple, such as by pushing down rocks or damaging information banners.”

Source: Tourist-terrorising monkeys removed from Angkor – Khmer Times

See also:

• ‘Nuisance monkeys’ relocated from temples to zoo to protect tourists | Phnom Penh Post, 30 Dec 2020
• Apsara Authority quashes the ‘monkey rumour’ | Khmer Times, 31 Dec 2020