Hundreds of monkeys attack farms in Yogya

Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta

Hundreds of monkeys have attacked farms in the Yogyakarta village of Kapuharjo over the last few days, destroying crops.

Head of the Sleman Agriculture and Forestry Office Ahmad Yulianto said that the monkeys had emerged from the forest as their habitat, particularly on the slopes of Mt. Merapi, had largely been destroyed.

"The number of trees is decreasing at a rapid rate due to illegal logging. As a result, the forest does not provide enough food for the monkeys. They turned to the village, seeking food," Ahmad told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.

The situation had worsened as, due to the prolonged dry season, the trees were no longer fruitful.

Achmad acknowledged that this was not the first time monkeys had destroyed crops in the area. But added that his office "was still cooperating with other institutions to find the best solution."

A villager, Warji, 47, said that the monkeys usually attacked farms in the evening, just as it was getting dark.

"They come in groups, sometimes as many as 200 swiftly attack the farms. Afterward, they leave quickly," said Warji, a resident of the farming district of Cangkringan, Sleman regency.

He added that the villagers had installed scarecrows to frighten the monkeys, but their efforts were useless.

Poisoning the monkeys or shooting them was not an option, he explained, as it was feared that the other monkeys would retaliate.

Warji hoped that the government would take immediate action as the crops are the villagers' main source of income.