An electrifying encounter with Sri Lanka’s simians

When John Boyle went looking for wildlife in Sri Lanka, he encountered one primate that was in for a shock.

One of my ‘terms and conditions’ when booking a family beach holiday to Sri Lanka was that we added a three-day excursion to Yala National Park. This short break from the sunbeds allowed me to photograph some of the island’s wildlife. Based at a hotel adjacent to Yala, we enjoyed fantastic safaris – highlights being an unexpected appearance by a sloth bear, the chance to watch elephants bathing, and a sighting of a leopard resting in the fork of a tree.

The hotel grounds also hosted a wealth of wild animals, including a troop of grey langurs. So, I set my sights on photographing the monkeys as they came to drink from a small waterhole. There were around 20 in the group, including youngsters that entertained themselves by climbing on rocks and power pylons.

I snapped away as the langurs cautiously took turns to stoop and quench their thirst while sentinels kept watch. Suddenly, a loud noise shattered the tranquillity, and the monkeys ran in panic to the sanctuary of the nearby trees. Initially, I was perplexed, and looked around for the source of the chaos. I spotted a young monkey on its back, convulsing wildly, and it dawned on me that it had been electrocuted on the power lines.

The youngster’s mother nervously returned to her stricken infant, torn between self-preservation and her maternal instincts. As the shocked langur rolled on the ground, she heeded the alarm calls of her troop and retreated to the trees.

I watched helplessly, unable to intervene in this tragic incident. But, to my surprise, the feisty young primate pulled itself to its feet and headed towards the nearby rocks, while swaying from side to side like a dizzy child stepping off a fairground waltzer. Steadying itself, it leapt towards the nearest boulder – but slid agonisingly back to earth. On its third attempt, the youngster clung on, scrambling to safety amongst the rocks. Now the troop returned to the boulders, the mother cradling her traumatised offspring.

I saw amazing wildlife on safari but nothing as dramatic as one monkey’s fight for survival, while my wife and daughter lounged by the pool 100m away.

Suddenly, a loud noise shattered the tranquillity – the monkeys ran in panic.

Female grey langurs usually give birth to a single infant. Here, the mother stands over her stricken youngster.