Hassan (Karnataka): In a shocking incident, more than 30 monkeys were found killed at Choudanahalli village of Belur taluk in Hassan district on Thursday morning. More than 20 monkeys were found to be injured. However, barring two monkeys, others have recovered and left after local residents tended to them.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the monkeys were poisoned and beaten up. Later, miscreants had stuffed the monkeys in gunny bags and thrown them on Sakleshpur Begur Crossroad near Chowdenahalli. The monkeys were found by the local youth. They also found the 20 injured monkeys.
After opening the gunny bags, the young men found some monkeys gasping for breath and unable to move. The locals fed the monkeys water and tried to save their lives. Among the 20 monkeys, 18 recovered after drinking water and left. Two are being treated by veterinary doctors and said to be out of danger.
Assistant Conservator of Forests, Belur Forest Range Prabhu visited the spot after the incident came to light.
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It is suspected that miscreants had poisoned and beaten up the monkeys to death. They had brought monkeys from a different place and threw them here at around 10 pm. The bodies of monkeys had turned green and thus it is suspected that they have been poisoned. Post-mortem has been conducted on the bodies and preliminary reports have also suggested poisoning. The forest officials later cremated the dead monkeys.
The incident has shocked the public and strict action against culprits has been demanded.
News and videos about the incident have gone viral on social media.
The forest department is conducting an inquiry into the incident.
