It was a sad day for us all….

Please note that this story may cause distress to some readers but I think it is necessary to show that every day work of wildlife rescuers is not always what one would hope.

A few days ago we received three telephone calls within the space of an hour from people who needed urgent help with critically injured long-tailed macaques all in the city of Phetchaburi, an hours drive for the WFFT Wildlife Rescue Centre. The WFFT Rescue Team immediately headed out to try and help these poor souls.

The first monkey was an elderly female that had fallen from a tree at a temple. She had been put in a cage by the monks of the temple early that morning after they found her on the floor. Upon arrival to the temple the WFFT team found the elderly macaque was unresponsive with puss coming from wounds around her abdomen. She was in a very weak state; it appears she has been unwell for a while. She was taken back to the WFFT Wildlife Hospital for urgent care, she sadly died within 3 hours of being with us. Rest in peace old girl.

The second monkey was an adult male that had been taken to the regional government livestock office the day before we were called to collect him. He had been involved in a car accident, during which he had sustained little visible exterior injuries, with no major bone breakages. He was taken back to WFFT for urgent treatment. During the afternoon large quantities of old blood started coming from his nose, the team tried to save his life but unfortunately he did not make it. Rest in peace big boy.

The third monkey was also an adult male that had been taken to the regional government livestock office. He had been electrocuted while climbing on exposed power lines in the city that morning. He had sustained severe burns to his hands, face and body. He was taken back to WFFT for urgent treatment. Two days on he is eating well and his wounds are improving. We are hoping he will survive but for now we cannot predict the outcome. He will continue to be under the intensive care at the WFFT Wildlife Hospital. Just as I am posting this story he has began to open his eyes. We will keep you posted in his progress.

The three stories above are here to remind us of the endless threats faced by urban macaques here in Thailand. Without suitable habitats they are forced to live in dangerous cities, where humans have little or no regard for their welfare.