This month, 58 people have 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.

The monkeys are targeting mostly the elderly and kids. They try to snatch babies, have been found sneaking into schools, and they bite.  City officials say they are not looking for food; they are more interested in human flesh.

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.  

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