A monkey that reportedly attacked a four-year-old boy and his grand mother recently near the central prison was captured by officials of the Corporation zoo here on Sunday.
The monkey (Rhesus macaque) attacked Arulraj and his grandmother when they were returning after visiting Arulraj’s father, who is lodged at the central prison, on Friday. It inflicted bleeding injuries on the boy after he resisted the animal’s attempt to grab a packet of snack that he had in his hand. The incident happened on LIC Road behind the Corporation Zoo. His grandmother too was injured when the monkey tried to grab her bag.
Later, officials of the Corporation Zoo set up a cage and placed sedative-laced bananas to lure the monkey into it. But the ploy did not work out.
On Sunday morning, the animal was caught after it was tranquilised by the Forest Department Veterinarian N S Manoharanan, following District Forest Officer Thirunavukkarasu’s advice. Asokan, Director of Corporation Zoo, said that the monkey regained consciousness after two hours. It has been housed at the zoo.