State of the World from NPR

Ransom-Demanding Monkeys Trade Juice Boxes and Samosas for Visitors' Belongings

Jan 25, 2025
In the holy town of Vrindavan, monkeys have become savvy bargainers, trading stolen items for juice boxes and samosas. The rapid urban development has made this jungle bustling, complicating human-monkey coexistence. Locals now navigate the peculiar challenge of playful theft and negotiations with these clever primates. As tourism grows, the balance between preserving the sacred significance of the monkeys and managing their population becomes increasingly intriguing.
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ANECDOTE

Monkey Business

  • Vinod Verma's glasses were stolen by a monkey in Vrindavan.
  • A boy named Krishna retrieved them by offering mango juice, earning a dollar.
INSIGHT

Monkey City

  • Monkeys are thriving in Vrindavan due to rapid development and pilgrim feeding.
  • This has led to an increase in monkey-related issues like theft and health problems.
INSIGHT

Urban Development and Monkeys

  • Urban development in India has led to ecological encroachment, impacting wildlife.
  • Monkeys adapted to Vrindavan's growth, unlike other animals that retreated.
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