Invasive Rhesus Monkey spotted in JP Nagar

In JP Nagar, Bengaluru, a large male Rhesus monkey, commonly found in Northern India, has caught the attention of wildlife expert Sanjay Gubbi. He shared a video of the captured monkey on his Facebook account, emphasizing the urgency to capture it immediately.

The presence of invasive wildlife species has been increasingly problematic in our state. On Monday morning, the large Rhesus monkey was sighted in the first phase of JP Nagar. Historically, Rhesus monkeys were confined to the northern regions along the Krishna River, but in recent years, they have also been spotted in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi and Bidar districts.

However, its appearance in central Bengaluru raises questions. Has it been released into the area intentionally, or has it escaped from a zoo or a wildlife rehabilitation center? This has led to speculation among experts and locals. In November 2019, a Rhesus monkey was also recorded in a camera trap at the Biligiri Rangana Betta Tiger Reserve.

Sanjay Gubbi pointed out that Rhesus monkeys are larger than the local bonnet macaques, with distinctive features like a longer tail and reddish buttocks. He highlighted the need to capture this monkey promptly, as its presence could lead to serious issues for local monkey populations, including inbreeding and other ecological disturbances.

The situation underscores the challenges posed by invasive species and the necessity for immediate action to safeguard local wildlife.