Cheeky monkeys mug tourists

Amischievous species of monkey living close to a temple, has a novel way of getting food: by pinching tourists’ belongings then swapping them for snacks.

Long-tailed macaques, at the Uluwatu Temple on the island of Bali in Indonesia, have been filmed stealing objects from tourists, such as glasses and cameras. The creatures only drop their loot when offered food by the temple staff. These primates are reported to have behaved in this way for years. A team from Belgium’s University of Liège, led by primatologist (someone who studies primates) Fany Brotcorne, spent four months watching and recording the behaviours of four groups of monkeys living near the temple. The experts found that the highest rates of monkey crime were among the two groups who spent the most time around tourists. This finding supports the idea that they were learning the behaviour by watching one another. “It’s a unique behaviour. The Uluwatu Temple is the only place in Bali where it’s found,” says Brotcorne.

Although Brotcorne’s study was small, she believes that her team have discovered evidence that the methods are cultural. This means that the behaviour is passed from parents to children. Brotcorne’s theory is supported by her more recent discovery of a fifth group of macaques who had moved into the area and began using the same tricks.