Monkeys on the loose: Borivali high-rise residents struggle with intrusions

Monkeys sit inside a residential balcony

As summer intensifies along Mumbai's forest fringes, residents of Shree Krupa building in Borivali East say their new 22-storey high-rise has become a hotspot for frequent monkey intrusions, with animals entering homes through pipes and windows in search of food. Located near Sanjay Gandhi National Park, the society, home to over 100 families who moved in just 3-4 months ago, has seen a spike in incidents over the past 4-5 weeks, forcing residents to keep windows shut despite the heat.

A monkey peers into a kitchen window at Shree Krupa building in Borivli East, where residents say animals frequently enter homes in search of food. Pics/By Special Arrangement

What residents say

Jagruti Parekh, resident
"Monkeys manage to enter any flat with open windows, especially kitchens. They have come into my house multiple times. Stealing food is still okay, but families with children are scared of any mishap."

Siddarth Sampat, secretary, Shree Krupa
"They climb through service pipes and usually reach up to the eighth floor. The frequency has increased recently. We will implement a solution within 2-3 days."

Shree Krupa, a 22-storey residential building, where locals have reported frequent monkey intrusions

Monkey hotspots around SGNP

>> Aarey Colony
>> Goregaon East
>> Kandivali East
>> Borivali East
>> Thane outskirts
>> Mulund West
>> Bhandup West
>> Dahisar

Resident family

"We want to keep windows open in this heat, but we are forced to shut them and depend on fans and AC due to fear."

Bigger pattern across SGNP belt

Wildlife rescuers say this is not an isolated case but part of a wider urban-wildlife overlap trend.

Why monkeys are entering homes

Trigger Impact
Summer heat Pushes monkeys out of forests
Food scarcity Drives them toward human food
Urban proximity Societies near forests become easy targets
Easy access Pipes, cables, scaffolding act as entry routes
Human feeding Conditions monkeys to expect food

Building under siege

Indicator Details
Building height 22 floors
Families 100 plus
Monkey reach Up to 8th floor
Entry routes Pipes, ducts, kitchen windows
Peak intrusion period Last 4-5 weeks