Forest dept. probes mysterious deaths of monkeys near Palode

The Forest department has registered a case into the mysterious deaths of nine Bonnet macaques near Palode in Thiruvananthapuram.

The carcasses were found in a rubber plantation and at a nearby stream in Mankayam on Sunday. The presence of foam and froth around their mouth has raised suspicion of possible poisoning or disease.

The post-mortem examination was conducted at the State Institute for Animal Diseases at Palode on Monday. While preliminary findings of the necroscopy did not provide any conclusive cause that led to the deaths, a comprehensive report is awaited. Besides, a toxicology assessment will also be undertaken to examine the presence of poison.

Official sources also indicated the possibility of sending samples to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal. The examinations could shed light on the possibility of a possible outbreak of Kyasanur Forest Disease (monkey fever), a tick-borne viral haemorrhagic fever, within the simian population in the region.

The wild animal menace has thrown normal life out of gear in several parts of Pangode and Peringamala grama panchayats. The major threats come from wild elephants, wild boars, and monkeys.

While elephants have caused extensive damage by frequently venturing into residential areas, destroying crops and creating panic among the local population, monkeys (Bonnet macaques) also wreak havoc as they frequently enter homes, destroy food supplies, and damage property, including electric bulbs and wiring systems. Certain school premises too have been infested by monkeys, thereby posing serious safety risks to students.

The farming community in the region has also complained that monkeys have destroyed coconut trees and fruit crops in recent times, sources said.