Rhesus Macaques sit & groom each other on a Monkey temple rooftop overlooking Jaipur. Most of the city's urban monkeys are Rhesus Macaques who live a life of relative luxury since they are believed by local Hindus to personify Hanuman, the cherished 'Monkey God' who banished evil in the Indian epic Ramayana.  Location: Monkey temple (Galwar Bagh),  Jaipur (The pink city), Rajasthan, India.

179770357

Rhesus Macaques sit & groom each other on a Monkey temple rooftop overlooking Jaipur. Most of the city's urban monkeys are Rhesus Macaques who live a life of relative luxury since they are believed by local Hindus to personify Hanuman, the cherished 'Monkey God' who banished evil in the Indian epic Ramayana. Location: Monkey temple (Galwar Bagh), Jaipur (The pink city), Rajasthan, India.

Photo by: Timothy Allen

Timothy Allen

Monkeys Steal COVID-19 Tests

During the pandemic, these primates in India have taken “Monkey Business” to a whole new level.

May 29, 2020

On Thursday, a group of red-faced rhesus macaques attacked a lab assistant near Meerut Medical College in Delhi and ran away with test samples from potential COVID-19 patients. The monkeys climbed up into trees and chewed on the samples before throwing them back.

In old part of Delhi you have groups of monkeys on the street.

485715626

In old part of Delhi you have groups of monkeys on the street.

Photo by: t-lorien

t-lorien

In old part of Delhi you have groups of monkeys on the street.

Close Call

Initially people were worried that this would cause an outbreak in the area, but the tests were retrieved, and none had been damaged. Meerut Medical College superintendent, Dheeraj Raj stated that, “They were still intact and we don’t think there is any risk of contamination or spread.” However, the patients were retested in order to ensure accurate results.

A family of Rhesus Macaques explore a city landscape. Most of Jaipur's urban monkeys are Rhesus Macaques who live a life of relative luxury since they are believed by local Hindus to personify Hanuman, the cherished 'Monkey God' who banished evil in the Indian epic Ramayana.  Location: Jaipur (The pink city), Rajasthan, India.

179770305

A family of Rhesus Macaques explore a city landscape. Most of Jaipur's urban monkeys are Rhesus Macaques who live a life of relative luxury since they are believed by local Hindus to personify Hanuman, the cherished 'Monkey God' who banished evil in the Indian epic Ramayana.

Photo by: Timothy Allen

Timothy Allen

A family of Rhesus Macaques explore a city landscape. Most of Jaipur's urban monkeys are Rhesus Macaques who live a life of relative luxury since they are believed by local Hindus to personify Hanuman, the cherished 'Monkey God' who banished evil in the Indian epic Ramayana.

Monkeying Around During Lockdown

While this may seem like an event out of a movie, monkeys in India have become bolder during the pandemic. With the country under lockdown, many people who would normally stop and give food to the monkeys while out and about are staying home. Officials have asked the public not to feed the animals in order to minimize the risk of having the virus jump into the species. With a food source suddenly gone, people have reported that food and even cell phones have been stolen from them. It seems that the primates have taken matters (and other people’s belongings) into their own hands.

Next Up

Bird Enthusiasts Take Over Social Media for #BlackBirdersWeek

Because nature lovers are just as diverse as nature itself.

Climate Week 2021 Shines a Light on the Climate Crisis

Every September since 2009, Climate Week coincides with the UN General Assembly in New York City. Action is required to halt and attempt to reverse the rapid and catastrophic deterioration of the world's climate. The planet is in crisis and this year The Explorers Club is spotlighting experts in the field to bring awareness to how we can create the change we need to improve the future of the planet.

The Acrobats of the Skunk World

These seven species of spotted skunks can do handstands, but that’s not the only secret they’re hiding.

Watch Out! There's a New Ocean on the Block

A new ocean has been added to the list. The Southern Ocean becomes the fifth ocean to be officially recognized on the world map.

Supertrees That Suck Up More Carbon Could Be Forest Climate Fix

Forestation and tree growth are perhaps the most powerful tool for reducing levels of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) in Earth’s atmosphere and tackling climate change. Now genetically modified (GM) ‘supertrees’ that grow faster and rapidly take up CO2 could be used to address the climate crisis.

Bison are on the Move in Romania

The first bison relocation in Europe of its kind has been hailed a success after seven male individuals were transported from Germany and set free in Bulgaria earlier this summer.

Biden Summit Commits Nations to Less Pollution and a Brighter Future

President Biden catapulted the US back into its international climate change commitments on Earth Day 2021 with a wide-ranging summit on industrial emissions, clean technologies, job creation, and innovation. Ambitious action on greenhouse gases was announced, with promises to reduce emissions by 50-52% by 2030.

Offshore Wind Farms Present Huge Green Gains and Tricky Challenges

Wind power is one of the most important renewable energy sources for reducing air pollution and climate warming emissions across the planet. Turbine energy has a huge green advantage with a carbon footprint 90 times smaller than coal and 40 times smaller than gas-fired power.

Bat Pups Babble like Babies

Baby greater sac-winged bats show similarities to human babies in the way they string together syllabus before they can learn to “talk.”

Canada's Wildlife is in Hot Water

Uncharacteristically hot temperatures in Canada and the Pacific Northwest have left people searching for relief. But what about the wildlife? It is only getting warmer, and that has caused irreversible damage and tragic demise to over 1 billion sea creatures.