BENGALURU: Wildlife conservationist and animal rescuer Shravan Krishnan says Indian mongrels are the best answer to monkey attacks.
“I have always recommended adopting them. In Kodaikanal, when my friend’s house saw frequent visits from monkeys, I suggested this and it worked wonderfully. They are hardy, and can even survive outside homes.”
Shravan works closely with the Forest Department in Chennai and has dealt with many man-animal conflict situations, “particularly involving monkeys and snakes.”
“Monkeys sense fear and when we go with sticks, they read our body language well and act accordingly. But dogs are territorial and will not hesitate to chase the monkey hordes away,” says Shravan, who also owns the Hotel for Dogs with branches in Chennai and Bengaluru.
“Pedigree dogs are not as effective,” he says. “They don’t have the survival skills of indogs and aren’t as territorial.”
Another way of avoiding monkey attacks is to manage your garbage well, he says.
“Keep them sealed and covered. There was one instance in Chennai, where monkeys used to come to the canteen area exactly around 12-12.30 pm, when people would throw out leftovers from lunch. They’re very intelligent and learn patterns of behaviour.”
When you’ve come face to face with a horde, do not make eye-contact, he says. “You can spot the alpha male in the pack, the biggest one. Do not look into the eyes of any of the monkeys, especially not this one, they see it as a sign of aggression. They could see it as a challenge and rise to it.”
If you thought smiling at them would make them friendlier to you, you’re wrong.
“If you show your teeth, again it is a sign of aggression. Similarly if they are yawning or grinning, with show of teeth, they are sending out a threat,” he says.
Smiles don’t work and nor do sticks. “Throwing one at them or trying to chase them away with one will also be read as a threat. They might attack,” says Shravan. “Just move away from them, keeping a safe distance.”
Shravan agrees with People for Animals’ rehabilitator Naveen Kumar’s advise of “not feeding them.” Feed them once and not again, or feed one and refuse the others food, and they can be offended.
If the situation turns dangerous, where monkeys are biting people, then best call in the forest department.
“It is a sad solution,” says Shravan. “They could be relocated into different places and families would be split.”