Mumbai: Monkey at Bhavan’s College sparks concern among students

The grey langur that has been spotted on the campus of Bhavan’s College in Andheri West. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Visitors and students have raised concerns about a grey langur frequently seen on the campus of Bhavan's College and the surrounding areas in Andheri West. They have requested that the animal be safely captured, as its close interactions with people are increasing the risk of human-wildlife conflict and could endanger both the primate and the public. Photos of the langur approaching people and even sitting on someone's shoulder have been circulated in the past few weeks.

An individual who works in a shop near the college told mid-day, "Initially, when the langur was seen in the vicinity, it used to maintain distance from humans and avoid getting close. For the past few days, it has started coming near humans, and it's frightening. I have seen videos on social media where people have had negative interactions, leading to injuries. In the larger interest of animals and humans, this langur should be rescued and released into its original habitat." Sources from the forest department said that efforts to rescue the langur, involving the NGO RAWW, are underway. However, the primate rarely stays put.

Animal psychology

The Honorary Wildlife Warden of Thane, Pawan Sharma, said, "Human-primate interactions in and around the periphery of the park in the suburban area are actually quite common." He added, "Three main species, bonnet macaque, rhesus macaque, and Hanuman langur, in that order, have regular positive and negative interactions with humans. There are various reasons for such interactions and conflict arising from negative ones. Many times, young males or ex-alpha males are pushed out of the forests due to territorial fights and start residing near human settlements due to easy availability of food and shelter."

The grey langur that has been spotted on the campus of Bhavan's College in Andheri West. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

According to Sharma, sometimes, a group of primates also start living in urban areas because locals feed them, as well as the mismanagement of edible waste - an easy source of sustenance. "Capturing healthy animals from the suburbs is not allowed, as it is equally a part of their habitat. However, in cases where animals are causing life-threatening or severe problems, the situation has to be evaluated, and they must be captured or trapped and rehabilitated. This is not an easy task as tranquilisation is not possible in every situation in a city landscape and primates, being smart, do not always enter trap cages," said Sharma.

In general, the animal is said to be avoiding humans, but on being provoked, it tends to turn aggressive. "We advise people to maintain a safe distance from and not to feed or provoke the animal. Often, such lone animals do not stay in one place and do not pose a threat to humans. There are several cases of peaceful coexistence in the city, which indicate that capture is not necessary and not the only solution, as the city belongs to both."

Student Speak

Those attending Bhavan's College stated that the monkey started making an appearance after the Ganeshotsav holidays concluded and was only sighted on and off since then. "For the most part, the langur is docile. However, it once followed my friend for a short distance since she was carrying food. We rushed off, and it left us alone. Now, when she spots the langur, she walks in the other direction," said an undergraduate student from the college.

A sheet of instructions explaining how to behave around the grey langur in case of a sighting has been put up on the campus. "For the most part, the monkey simply walks away and doesn't bother the students. We aren't scared of it but maintain our distance," said a student. While some students alleged that they saw the langur jump onto people's shoulders, mid-day learned that no such incidents were reported to administrative authorities.

The primate was spotted at the nearby Metro station and Andheri Sports Complex, among other spots. According to sources, many animals and birds are intermittently spotted around the campus, given its sprawling green cover. In such cases, the protocol is to inform the relevant NGOs and the forest department.