Schools Shift Online After Series of Monkey Attacks
Authorities in Indonesia have captured a long-tailed macaque after a two-week series of attacks left 18 people injured in Sumatra.
The incidents occurred in Tembilahan, a town on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
Officials said the adult monkey carried out 19 separate attacks involving 18 victims. One resident was reportedly attacked twice.
The animal targeted people in different parts of the town. Many victims were reportedly alone when the attacks occurred.
Children and elderly residents were among those injured.
Tembilahan fire and rescue service chief Junaidy Ismail confirmed the latest casualty figures on Friday.
Several victims suffered serious bite and claw injuries.
Some required more than a dozen stitches following the attacks.
Medical teams also administered rabies vaccinations to several victims as a precaution.
Concerns over public safety prompted authorities to temporarily close dozens of schools.
At least 40 schools shifted students to online learning while officials searched for the animal.
Hundreds of pupils were instructed to remain at home for three days.
Local authorities said schools could reopen on Monday if conditions were considered safe.
Trappers Catch Macaque After Two-Week Search
Animal rescue teams finally captured the macaque late on Thursday.
The animal was caught inside a trap placed in the town following an intensive search operation.
The local fire and rescue service later released video footage showing the monkey alive inside a cage.
Officials said the animal appeared distressed after being captured.
Residents have still been advised to remain cautious.
Town official Ari Syuria warned that authorities could not rule out the possibility that other aggressive monkeys were present in the area.
Officials are therefore continuing to monitor locations where attacks were previously reported.
Authorities have asked residents to avoid approaching wild monkeys and immediately report any aggressive animal behaviour.
The captured macaque has been transported to Pekanbaru, the capital of Riau province.
Indonesia’s nature conservation authorities will now examine the animal.
Health Tests to Determine Whether Monkey Carried Disease
Officials plan to conduct blood tests and behavioural examinations on the captured macaque.
The tests will determine whether the animal was carrying rabies or another disease that could have contributed to its aggressive behaviour.
Conservation official Ujang Holisudin said authorities wanted to establish whether the monkey posed a wider health risk.
The results could also help doctors determine whether additional treatment is necessary for the victims.
Human-wildlife conflicts occur regularly across Indonesia.
Rapid development and the clearing of forests have increasingly brought wildlife into closer contact with populated areas.
Large areas of rainforest have been converted for agriculture, including palm oil plantations.
Environmental experts have repeatedly warned that habitat loss can force monkeys and other wild animals into towns and villages in search of food and shelter.
Indonesia has also experienced conflicts involving elephants, tigers and other wildlife as natural habitats continue to shrink.
For now, authorities in Tembilahan are keeping schools closed while monitoring the situation.
Officials will decide whether normal classes can resume after determining that there is no further immediate threat.
