Employees of the forest department carry a monkey. Telegraph picture

Balasore, Oct. 17: District forest officials have started capturing monkeys in Soro to prevent them from causing harm to property and people. More than 200 wild monkeys have been causing havoc in the area for quite some time now.

Following complaints from local residents, the forest department has engaged a group of Mankadia tribals, who have knowledge of simian behaviour and expertise in catching them. The group has been brought from Nilgiri forest area.

Till yesterday, the group had caught 35 monkeys that they later released into the Kuldiha sanctuary located near Nilgiri.

“After receiving a number of complaints, we have engaged 18 Mankadias for the drive. So far, we have been able to net 35 monkeys and the drive will continue till all the simians are caught,” said local forest range officer Sanjay Mohanty.

“The tribals catch the monkeys without causing any injury to them. We then release them into the wild,” he said.

The monkeys cause damage to vegetable and fruits grown by the farmers, and were also destroying tile and asbestos roofs. They are attacking villagers and children as well. “More than 300 monkies have been causing serious problems, such as chasing people on the road. People of this area are living in fear as their number is high,” said Sitaram Patra, a local resident.