Balinese monkeys getting nasty

Balinese monkeys getting nasty

DENPASAR, Bali (JP): The ubiquitous monkeys of the tourist
resort of Sangeh are getting nasty, blemishing their image with
petty crimes.

Many of them are past masters of snatching tourists' purses,
handbags, wrist watches, necklaces, hats and sunglasses.

They will calmly hoard their loot in the trees until food
vendors help dumbfounded tourists get back their property with
fruit or peanuts sold at inflated prices.

"They must be in it together," sniffed a tourist from Bandung
who had his thumb bitten by a monkey that failed to snatch his
wrist watch last Sunday.

Embarrassed by complaints about the annoying animals, Badung
regent Gusti Alit Putra called for a competition last year to
tame the monkeys. Nobody has taken up the challenge so far.

Sangeh village chief Wayan Maka has come out in defense of the
animals' rights.

"If they are not provoked, they won't do anything," he said.
"They are just like us... They have pride they will fiercely
defend. So don't hurt their feelings," he advised. (23/pan)