PHETCHABURI: Veterinarians began neutering long-tailed macaques in Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park, or Khao Wang, in a mass sterilisation drive which began yesterday.

Veterinarians from the 3rd Wildlife Assistance Centre at Khao Prathap Chang in Ratchaburi and Phan Thai Norasing Game Reserve in Samut Sakhon were sent to help control the number of long-tailed macaques in the area, after authorities received many complaints about attacks on visitors by the hungry primates.

Their goal is to sterilise 500 monkeys at Khao Wang ("the hill with a palace").

They have set up a work site at the foot of Khao Wang, a hill overlooking Phetchaburi township.

After they are sterilised, the macaques will be released back into the wild.

The operation is financed by the department's 2021 budget.

Some 500 macaques are put in a cage before they are neutered by veterinarians in Phetchaburi. The macaques were taken from Khao Wang, a popular tourist attraction in Muang district. The procedure is to control the animal's population which has grown rapidly in recent years. photos by Chaiwat Satyaem