Mysterious Deaths of Monkeys in Telangana and Uttar Pradesh: Poisoning Suspected
The bodies of 25 monkeys were discovered on the outskirts of Bancharai Thanda in Kuravi village, Mahabubabad district. Villagers found the carcasses near an agricultural field and quickly reported the discovery to local authorities. Forest officials from Kuravi arrived promptly at the scene.
Investigation: Suspected Poisoning
Initial reports suggest that the monkeys may have been victims of poisoning, as confirmed by The Times of India. M Srinivas, the Forest Divisional Officer for Kuravi, stated that a joint investigation is being conducted with the involvement of forest officials, police, and revenue officers to determine the cause and identify those responsible.
Previous Similar Incidents
A similar incident occurred in the past when 40 monkeys were reportedly poisoned and found stuffed into gunny bags. Their bodies were discovered on a hill near Sanigapuram village. Due to the advanced decomposition of the bodies, including several young monkeys, a postmortem could not be performed.
Ongoing Monkey Population Issues in Mahabubabad
The monkey population in Mahabubabad has been a long-standing problem, contributing to human-animal conflicts in the region. Thakkellapalli Ravinder Rao, a BRS MLC, has raised concerns about the increasing number of monkeys. He highlighted that the animals were causing damage to vegetable crops, orchards, and fields, while also making local residents fearful to leave their homes.
Monkeys Found Dead in Uttar Pradesh
In a separate incident, the bodies of 145 monkeys were found buried at the Food Corporation of India (FCI) godown in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh. Police discovered the decomposing bodies and sent them for postmortem examinations. According to reports from The Hindu, the monkeys died after inhaling pesticides made from aluminium phosphide, which were used to keep insects away from wheat sacks. The monkeys had entered the godown through a broken window and were exposed to the toxic gas.
