A tourism plan involving monkeys that was drawn up more than a decade ago has turned into a living nightmare for the locals of Xianfeng village in Sichuan, China.
According to CCTV News, the villagers wanted to boost their local economy and therefore came up with the idea of using wild macaque monkeys to attract tourists. Apparently, they had been inspired by Emei Mountain, which is a famous tourist spot populated by wild macaques.
So in 2003, the villagers spent a total of 48 days transporting 73 apes from nearby mountains and setting up home for them in Xianfeng.
Initially, the plan took off and brought in a wave of visitors from around the country, who were eager to get up close and personal with the monkeys. Soon, investors also began to show interest and funded the park for the monkeys to reside in.
In 2014, Xianfeng village's fortunes took a turn for the worse when main investor Zhou Zhenggu passed away, and the park was forced to shut down due to poor management and lack of funding.
Today, Xianfeng is overrun with 600 monkeys who have been left to fend for themselves. Unlike Emei Mountain where the primates live in the wild and are independent, Xianfeng's monkeys had grown used to being bred in captivity.
The villagers are now being terrorised by the monkeys who have taken to destroying crops and homes, as well as starting fights among themselves.
So far, only half of the Xianfeng monkeys have been recaptured and sent back to live in the wild. Experts said the remaining half are determined to stay and the villagers will have to learn to co-exist with the apes, until they leave on their own accord.
Latest Stories
-
Lady sues Police and AG over assault in custody
15 mins -
Ghana’s railway sector has been revived under my leadership – Akufo-Addo
35 mins -
Next government must enforce C190 – Women Economic Dialogue Forum
40 mins -
NCCE engages party youth activists at Nandom on peaceful election
41 mins -
SSNIT engages stakeholders on its operations
44 mins -
Defilement: 19-year-old farmer jailed ten years, with hard labour
45 mins -
Bawumia to inaugurate new headquarters of Lands Commission on November 25
47 mins -
Sylvester Tetteh denies demolishing GBC staff bungalow
51 mins -
Signing of peace pact by presidential candidates slated for November 28
60 mins -
Akufo-Addo reiterates commitment to free and fair elections
1 hour -
Climate change impact poses threat to Ghana’s financial stability – BoG Governor
1 hour -
Ursula Owusu-Ekuful assures of leading NPP to victory in Ablekuma West
1 hour -
Akufo-Addo urges armed forces to maintain neutrality, professionalism
1 hour -
Driver jailed 15 years for robbery
1 hour -
Election 2024: Bawumia is a timely asset for NPP and Ghana – Freddie Blay
1 hour