Forest department offers Rs 25,000 reward to catch Yeoor monkey arrow attacker

Dr Priti Sathe performing the 3-hour-long procedure on the injured monkey. Pics/By Special Arrangement

The forest department, on Tuesday, announced a cash reward of Rs 25,000 for information on the individual responsible for the bow-and-arrow attacks on monkeys in Yeoor. Sources told mid-day that a key finding has emerged during the probe - the arrows recovered from the injured animal differ from those used in professional archery schools in the Yeoor area.

Officials from the Thane Forest Department (Territorial) said, "We visited three archery academies in Yeoor and attempted to match the arrows, but found no link. CCTV footage is being collected with police assistance to identify the individual responsible."

Macaque that had 2.7-foot-long arrow lodged through its body

Forest officials have registered an offence against an unidentified individual under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The department has appealed to residents to share information, assuring that identities will be kept confidential.

Monkey rescue

While the probe continues, officials have not yet located the third injured monkey. The first Bonnet macaque, rescued by the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW), underwent a complex surgery after an arrow pierced its pelvic region, passing through both hind limbs and fracturing one. Dr Priti Sathe, an associate veterinarian with RAWW, who performed the surgery, said, "The 2.7-foot-long arrow was removed after a 3-hour procedure. The animal remains in very critical condition." The macaque has started eating on its own and is under 24x7 care. Surgery to repair the fractured limb will be taken up once it stabilises.

Attack timeline

March 20: First macaque rescued from Rambaug
March 22: A second macaque was spotted in Yeoor; initially escaped during rescue, later captured
March 22: Third macaque reported in Shivay Nagar; still untraced
Past week: Three bonnet macaques targeted with arrows across Thane's Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) Eco-Sensitive Zone

Key contacts

Santosh Dagle
989268426

CJ Khandvi
9370114399