anthonyn

The Himachal Pradesh ( India ), government has announced plans to sterilize tens of thousands of monkeys after complaints from farmers that the animals are destroying crops. Thousands of farmers and activitists gathered outside the state legislature Shimla this week to demand action.

After sterilization, the monkeys will be observed for five days before being released again. The government is training veterinarians for the massive sterilization program.

There are more than 300,000 monkeys in the state, up from an estimate 60,000 in 1985, according to government figures. Wildlife experts say monkeys come into conflict with humans when their natural habitat in forests is destroyed.