LOPBURI — 30 June 2026, Nearly 100 monkeys escaped from a municipal animal enclosure in Lopburi overnight, prompting a large-scale operation by officials to recapture the animals after they entered nearby residential areas.
The escape was reported on the morning of 30 June 2026 at the Lopburi Municipality Animal Nursery in Pho Kao Ton subdistrict, Mueang Lopburi district. The monkeys had been placed under the municipality’s care by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP).
Officials said the monkeys broke through part of the enclosure and escaped. Staff managed to prevent more than 1,000 other monkeys housed in the same facility from getting out.
Following the report, Lopburi Mayor Chamroen Salacheep ordered municipal officers and relevant agencies to launch an urgent operation to recapture the escaped monkeys before they could cause further disruption to nearby communities.
Lopburi Governor Weeraphong Ritrod, along with deputy governors, district officials, municipal authorities, DNP personnel, provincial livestock officials and other agencies, met at the site to coordinate the operation.
Officials have gradually recaptured some of the monkeys, while another team repaired and reinforced the damaged enclosure. Some dominant monkeys proved difficult to catch and required tranquiliser darts, while cages baited with food were placed around the area to lure others back.
The governor said the damaged enclosure had been repaired and strengthened to prevent further escapes. As a long-term solution, authorities plan to build a more secure double-layer enclosure designed to keep dominant monkeys from breaking out. The province is also preparing to establish a foundation to help support food costs and improve the monkeys’ welfare.
The mayor said some monkeys had voluntarily returned to the enclosure, while others remained nearby. He suggested the escape may have been driven by hunger, heat, overcrowding or a desire to roam freely.
He also apologised to residents affected by the incident and said officials would survey any damage. Residents whose property was affected were urged to report it so authorities could provide appropriate assistance.
