HomeTop HeadlinesMonkey Attacks in Japan - Gangs Looking for Human Flesh

Monkey Attacks in Japan – Gangs Looking for Human Flesh

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The macaque monkey population in Japan is growing and it’s causing clashes with human populations. “Gangs” of the usually peaceful primates can be seen roaming the streets and hanging in trees, sometimes blocking traffic and scurrying across children’s playgrounds. 

In July, 58 people have already been attacked by Japanese macaque monkeys in the southwestern Japanese city of Yamaguchi. The attacks have become a big problem and the city has hired personnel to hunt the monkeys with tranquilizer guns. When caught and determined to be causing the aggressive behavior (“I plead guilty to ‘monkey business,’ your Honor”), some have sadly been put to death. 

The monkeys are targeting mostly the elderly and kids. They try to snatch babies, have been found sneaking into schools, and they bite or claw humans. City officials say they are not looking for food; they seem to be more interested in human flesh.Yasuko Sanada, the vice principal of the Yamaguchi kindergarten where a 4-year-old was attacked, said on Wednesday that monkeys were still running around in the school’s playground.

The public is warned that if confronted by a monkey, they should not look them in the eye, they should try to make themselves look bigger or more threatening by, for example, spreading a coat open, and slither away quietly without aggressive moves. 

Japanese macaque monkeys are usually seen peacefully bathing in hot springs. Officials are uncertain what is triggering the attacks, but say that an increase in the macaque population has resulted in clashes with humans.  

A primate expert, Hiroto Enari, who did a recent study, wrote that the attacks in Yamaguchi attacks have been unusual, “But if humans give them many opportunities to learn, they might cause more conflict,” he said.Each attack  gives the primates a chance to improve their skills at being a nuisance — by removing roof tiles, say, or terrorizing garbage dumps, according to Enari. He said the most serious concern is that the monkeys could spread hepatitis B or other diseases to humans.

No one has been seriously injured so far, but the public is on edge. 

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