Monkeys Wreak Havoc in India

NEW DELHI, India -- In a capital city where cows and elephants roam the streets, it's no surprise to find government buildings overrun with monkeys

But the officials who work there are fed up. They've been bitten, robbed and otherwise tormented by monkeys. The Supreme Court has stepped in, decreeing that New Delhi should be a monkey-free city.

Easier said than done. Attempts to scare off the army of Rhesus macaques with ultrahigh frequency loudspeakers didn't work. A plan to deport them to distant regions has stalled because local governments refused to have them.

"Please do not feed the monkeys," implores a sign at Raisina Hill, the complex of buildings that includes the president's residence, Parliament, and Cabinet offices.

To no avail. Hindus believe that monkeys are manifestations of the monkey god, Hanuman, and worshippers come to Raisina Hill every Tuesday handing out bananas.

Atul Gupta, of the Wildlife Institute of India, says macaques belong in forests, but deforestation and human settlement are driving them into cities in search of food.

Macaques are crafty pickpockets, know how to open refrigerators, and brazenly snatch lunch pails from government workers, he said.

The answer, Gupta said, is to save the forests. Otherwise, he says, "the problem will get worse."