Hundreds of Monkeys Descend on Ponorogo Market as Dry Season Hits Wilis Slopes

Hundreds of long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) from the slopes of the Wilis mountain range once again descended on residents’ settlements around Ngebel Market in Wagir Lor village, Ngebel subdistrict, Ponorogo regency, on Thursday (16 July). The phenomenon has been triggered by the decline in natural food sources in their native habitat with the arrival of the dry season.

Local residents said the appearance of the primate troops is an annual occurrence. “During the dry season they often come down to look for food. They arrive in groups, and their numbers can exceed one hundred,” said Kepri, a resident of Wagir Lor village.

The monkey troops usually comb through the market area in search of leftover food or to take foodstuffs left in the open at traders’ stalls. Although their numbers reach into the hundreds, residents say the wild animals have shown no aggressive behaviour towards humans.

“They usually only look for food. If merchandise is covered or guarded, they don’t cause any trouble,” Kepri added.

Echoing Kepri, another resident named Kasno said the frequency of the monkeys’ appearances has increased to almost daily during the dry season. This is due to the dwindling availability of food in the forest. “They come down almost every day. So far they have only been looking for food and have never attacked traders,” he explained.

To anticipate unwanted incidents, residents have urged market traders and visitors to be more careful in storing food. Tightly sealed storage is expected to deter the monkey troops from approaching the community’s main areas of activity.

The phenomenon of monkeys descending into settlements has become part of the dynamics of life for communities around Lake Ngebel, given that the area borders directly on the protected forest of the Wilis mountain range. (Ant)