The number of monkeys in the Angkor Archaeological Park has reportedly increased in recent months. ANA
The world-renowned Angkor Wat temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, appears to be facing an escalating conflict between its resident monkeys and human visitors.
Increasing numbers of aggressive encounters have sparked alarm among tourists, conservation groups and local authorities.
At the heart of the controversy is the artificial feeding of wild macaques by tourists and the deliberate harassment of these animals by videographers seeking dramatic content for social media.
According to Action for Primates, a UK-based advocacy group for non-human primates, these activities have significantly altered the monkeys’ natural instincts, making them more aggressive and reliant on human interaction.
“The artificial feeding of monkeys by tourists and the deliberate interference and harassment by content creators must stop,” said a spokesperson for the group.
Several animal protection organisations, including Action for Primates, Lady Freethinker and Stop Monkey Abuse Asia, have repeatedly urged Cambodian authorities to take action.
Their calls for intervention highlight instances of monkeys being abandoned after being kept as ‘pets’ for social media content, as well as reports of video operators pursuing and interfering with the animals to provoke reactions for online engagement.
“We have presented evidence of monkeys who were kept as ‘pets’ in households and then abandoned to create ‘drama’ for online content; monkeys being relentlessly pursued by video operators with cameras, and interfered with and abused,” said the Action for Primates spokesman.
“There is an urgent need for a humane management plan to be put into place, part of which should include enforcement of a strict prohibition of people interacting with and feeding the monkeys,” they told The Post, via email.
Authorities have acknowledged the issue, with the Apsara National Authority (ANA) issuing a public warning about the rising number of aggressive monkeys in the Angkor Archaeological Park.
A February 4 ANA press release noted that regular feeding has altered the animals’ natural behaviour, transforming them into scavengers that may harm humans while attempting to take food.
“Recently, the number of monkeys in the Angkor Archaeological Park has increased significantly,” the statement read.
“The regular feeding of a small group of individuals for the purpose of producing video content has altered the monkeys’ natural behaviour, turning them into aggressive scavengers which may injure humans as they try to take food,” it added.
Long Kosal, an ANA spokesperson, confirmed that incidents of monkey “attacks” are becoming more frequent.
“There are no exact figures, but some individuals have sustained injuries, including torn skin, while others have had their food stolen,” he told The Post.
The ANA is collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Forestry Administration, and the Siem Reap agriculture department to explore solutions that will mitigate the issue while avoiding potential backlash from relocating the animals.
Authorities have urged all visitors, including both domestic and international tourists, to exercise caution, refrain from feeding or approaching the monkeys, and assist in spreading awareness about responsible behaviour around wildlife.
