Monkeys create havoc in Delhi

Thousands of wild monkeys roam around Delhi

By Daniel Lak in Delhi

Authorities in the Indian capital Delhi have come under new pressure to bring the city's large population of monkeys under control, after a man was killed by a falling flower-pot apparently thrown or pushed from a roof by a monkey.

There are an estimated 5,000-7,000 wild monkeys roaming the streets of Delhi and all earlier attempts to control them have failed.

Relatives of 48-year-old Arvind Kumar Jha said he was struck by a falling flower-pot after leaving a high-rise apartment building where his family owned a flat.

Witnesses say a monkey on the roof of the building pushed at least two pots over the edge.

One of them hit Mr Jha on the head, killing him instantly.

The monkey is sacred to Hindus

Press reports on the incident say there have been many complaints in the area about the increasingly bold and dangerous behaviour of local monkeys.

A doctor was quoted as saying he treated about 15 monkey bites every month.

Menace

The wild monkeys are an acute problem for the city authorities.

Aside from biting people, they destroy property, get into houses and offices and wreak havoc, and steal food from picnickers and street vendors.

The monkey is a sacred animals to Hindus, so culling the beasts is not an option.

Attempts to round them up and ship them to a distant spot in the countryside have failed, as the monkeys always come back.

Animal rights activists blame loss of habitat and the paving of city parks and forest reserves for the monkey problems of the city.