Nearly 100 monkeys escaped from a government-run enclosure in Lopburi, Thailand, prompting a large-scale effort by authorities to recapture them. The monkeys broke through part of the enclosure at the Lopburi Municipality Animal Nursery, where they were being housed after being transferred from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. Workers successfully prevented over 1,000 other monkeys from escaping during the incident.
Provincial officials, wildlife authorities, and municipal workers conducted searches in nearby residential areas. Authorities utilized food-baited cages to lure some monkeys back, while others, particularly larger macaques, were subdued with tranquilizer darts. Crews repaired the damaged enclosure and reinforced it to prevent future escapes.
Lopburi Governor Weeraphong Ritrod stated that plans are in place to build a more secure, double-layer enclosure to contain dominant monkeys. Additionally, a foundation is being established to support food costs and improve the welfare of the monkeys. Mayor Chamroen Salacheep noted that the escape may have been caused by hunger, extreme heat, overcrowding, or the monkeys' natural instincts. He apologized to residents affected by the incident and encouraged them to report any property damage for assessment and potential assistance. Lopburi has a long history of issues with free-roaming macaques, which have caused property damage and aggressive behavior, leading authorities to implement sterilization programs and relocate some animals to dedicated enclosures.