Coimbatore: The man-animal conflict in this region has at least in this case, assumed a different dimension. Often talked about and discussed is the co-existence of man and elephant in the forest fringes on the outskirts of the city.
But the woes of the villagers of Kembanoor in the suburbs of the city seem to be worried about a stray wild monkey disturbing them, and have demanded the forest department to relocate the simian that had mauled three persons, including a boy.
According to a villager of Kembanoor, few months ago, a monkey from the nearby forest area entered Kembanoor near Thondamuthoor. Villagers named the monkey ‘Ramu’ and started feeding it vegetables and fruits.
Over a period of time, the monkey started to enter every house in the village and take away the food, sometimes even along with the vessels.
Gradually, the monkey expanded its territory within the human habitat. It started robbing households of food, snacks and fruits, triggering a scare whereever it went. Small children were its easy target, since it comfortably snatched their snacks from them.
A few villagers made attempts to chase the animal using sticks, but the monkey pounced on them and mauled them. So far, three persons including a small boy have been injured by the monkey.
Panic gripped villagers have demanded the forest department officials to install a trap for the monkey, and relocate it into the dense forest area.
A forest source told DC, following weather changes, the water and fodder inside the forest becomes scarce.
The land turns dry, and as there is no water in the streams wild animals stray into nearby human habitats mainly in search of food and water.
Efforts are being taken to fill water in the tanks built inside the forest area, he added.
