Editorial photo #11969717 Human Interest
Keeping Toque Macaques Away From Gardens
A man holds a fire torch and walks around his home to chase away toque macaques (Macaca sinica) from his garden in Eheliyagoda, Sri Lanka, on January 21, 2025. In Sri Lanka, many people struggle to protect their gardens and plantations from toque macaques (Macaca sinica). These monkeys often steal food, damage crops, and even enter houses to take rice and other items. A man uses a creative method to keep the monkeys away. He wears a large jacket, puts on a gorilla mask, and holds a fire torch as he walks around his garden. This is his way of scaring the toque macaques. Villagers use different ways to deal with these troublesome monkeys. Some use air rifles, others set off firecrackers, and some rely on dogs to chase them away. The man's approach stands out because it is both simple and imaginative. This shows how people in these areas work hard to protect their homes and crops, finding smart ways to handle the challenges of living near wildlife. (Photo by Thilina Kaluthotage/NurPhoto)
