Watch Out, Mummy Monkeys About

My first ever morning in India, I looked around and two monkeys were in our kitchen! One on the fridge and the other on the dining temple, both enjoying snacks they had found. We had several similar visits after that, monkeys just wondering in the house taking what they fancied, but now the tree which they used for access has been cut down. I don’t think Alfonso would like it if he was face to face with a monkey.

This morning I was standing on our balcony watching a flocks of bright green parrots fly by and eating a peanut butter covered banana, and some commotion made me look down. Two monkeys carrying their little babies were being chased out of an apartment opposite by screaming women, it was amazing to see them swinging from balcony to balcony with ease, as if the apartment building were a tree.

Monkey Mamas in India

Whilst being scared down, some men on the ground were throwing stones up at them. Not just pebbles, huge rocks. I know that monkeys can be dangerous but this seemed completely unnecessary, especially as they were carrying small babies. For a while they didn’t know what to do, up or down, men with rocks or women screaming? They both sat on the roof of the apartment parking before jumping down past the rocks and running into the nearby restaurant! I tried to see what happened next but I couldn’t see from my balcony, I am sure it was dramatic.

Monkey Mummys

Monkey Langur and her Babe!

A couple of days ago I saw three huge male monkeys wander into someone’s front door! They were the size of four year old humans, I can only imagine the surprise someone got when they saw them in their kitchen. Living in India is certainly full of surprises!

18 comments

  1. Seeing monkeys in your kitchen, when you obviously don’t expect them, must be so shocking! I would have been scared out of my wits!

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  2. I don’t think I would ever get over finding a monkey in my kitchen although . . . monkeys are incredibly temperamental creatures (perhaps they ARE 4 year old humans) lol!

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  3. Monkeys are less scared of humans than other animals because they belong to the same species. Some people even feed them on Tuesdays which is the day of Lord Hanuman. In Delhi, most Government offices have a monkey problem. Apparently, monkeys like Government servants and are always found around Government offices. Most offices have iron grills on windows and roof. Monkeys do not come during the day but often come out at dusk and roam the corridors of the offices. The municipality uses Langoors which a bigger species of Monkeys to scare these monkeys. These Langoor handlers are paid a hefty sum each month to maintain these Langoors. You must have seen a Langoor. They have white fur, long tail and black hand, feet and mouth. These days men dress up as langoors scare away monkeys. Monkeys are serious business in India.

    http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/01/indian-parliament-hires-monkey-impersonators

    http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Ban-on-langurs-out-of-monkey-business/articleshow/18374810.cms

    http://www.hindustantimes.com/photos-news/photos-india/indianmonkey/Article4-606107.aspx#606126

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    • Hey Friend,

      That is some really great information and articles. I have heard that Delhi has a lot of monkeys! Langoors are the monkeys we see around here, but there are also other types (the type which was in my kitchen was a smaller type!)

      The men dressing up is hilarious!

      Thanks again,

      Lauren xxx

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  4. Wow! Their tales are soooo long! I’m scared of monkeys. I was visiting a temple in Thailand and the only way into the complex was past a bunch of monkeys. My friend went right by but I was stuck to the ground for a good 20 minutes until I talked myself into moving forward. I’m not sure what I’d do if they were in my house! How did you get rid if them, by the way?

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  5. Monkeys are generally awesome, but they do have a bad habit of not respecting others’ property :D. Luckily, I don’t have to worry about them as my German Shepherd, Tiger is more than happy to chase them away. He sits and stares at nearby monkeys, drooling as if they are a tasty snack. Luckily(? :D) no monkeys have fallen prey to him, as they are much too cunning themselves. Tiger himself, however is more destructive than them, as at the age of 1.5 years, he is still mentally a puppy, while being about 40 kilos :P. Needless to say my mom has lost some priceless vases.

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    • Haha, Alfonso hasn’t come face to face with a monkey yet. The might mistake him for one of their own has he actually has the same colouring as them (black face and silver coat). Alfonso is too small to knock over vases but he has chewed one of them!!!

      I hope you are well, take care

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      • What you are referring to are ‘langurs’. These are the more notorious ones :D. I have a pug too by the way, his name is Spike (I named him after the famous spike of tom and jerry, and because of his fearless nature.), about 1.7 years old, he is the older brother to tiger, and my mom’s sweetheart. What you mentioned about Alphonso is the same reason we don’t leave spike out alone, as my mom fears a mamma langur might mistake him for her baby! He only goes out with us or when Tiger is there to guard him, who is most loyal to his older brother :P.

        Wish you and your family the best in life.

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      • Hey Satyam, Tiger and Spike,
        They really do have the same colouring don’t they!! Awww so cute you have dog brothers, we hope to get another pug in a couple of years, we are going to call him Alfredo 😀

        I hope you are well

        Lauren

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