Sumatra monkey trapped after 18 attack injuries in Indonesia
Animal trappers have cut short the two-week rampage of a monkey that randomly attacked 18 people on Sumatra island in Indonesia, prompting dozens of schools to close in fear. The animal, an adult long-tailed macaque, wounded 18 residents of
A monkey that injured 18 people during a two-week series of attacks in a town on Indonesia’s Sumatra island has been trapped, ending a scare that forced schools to close and left residents on alert, according to local officials cited by Dawn and AFP.
The animal was identified as an adult long-tailed macaque and was captured late on Thursday in a trap set in Tembilahan, a town in Riau province. Rescue workers later released video showing the monkey alive inside a cage.
The incidents prompted concern across the area after the monkey allegedly attacked residents at random, often when they were alone. Victims included both children and elderly people. Tembilahan fire and rescue service head Junaidy Ismail said there had been 19 attacks in total, affecting 18 victims, with one person attacked twice.
Some of those injured needed more than a dozen stitches and rabies shots, according to the source report. Town officials also urged caution after suggesting the animal may not have been acting alone. In an Instagram post, local official Ari Syuria said residents should stay careful because there could be other monkeys involved in the attacks.
The situation also disrupted schooling. Forty schools were still closed on Friday, with three days of online learning ordered for hundreds of pupils in Tembilahan. The local government said schools would reopen next Monday if conditions are judged safe.
After being trapped, the monkey was transferred to Pekanbaru, the capital of Riau province, where the local nature conservation agency plans blood and observation tests. Ujang Holisudin, an agency official, told AFP the aim was to determine whether the monkey is carrying any diseases.
The episode highlights the wider issue of human-wildlife conflict in Indonesia, where clearing rainforest for palm oil plantations has reduced the habitat of animals including monkeys, elephants and tigers. While the immediate threat in Tembilahan has been contained, officials have warned residents to remain alert until they are confident the area is safe.
What happened in Tembilahan
The monkey attacks took place over about two weeks and left 18 people injured. Authorities say the animal was most often seen attacking people who were alone.
What happens next
The macaque will undergo health checks in Pekanbaru. Schools in Tembilahan are scheduled to reopen next Monday if local officials say the situation has improved.
Why the incident matters
Although the trapped animal has ended the immediate danger, the case underscores how shrinking habitats can bring wildlife into closer contact with people in parts of Indonesia.
FAQ
Q: What kind of monkey was involved?
A: Officials identified it as an adult long-tailed macaque.
Q: How many people were hurt?
A: the source report says 18 people were injured in 19 attacks.
Q: Have the authorities confirmed more monkeys were involved?
A: No confirmation was given, but a local official warned that there could be other monkeys attacking people.
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