Monkey perched on airport rooftop in Odisha capital trapped

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Apr 8:

The Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), Forest and Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP) authorities had a field day today as a rogue monkey left them panting who were after the unusual visitor to the airport in the Odisha capital.

After over eight hours of helter-skelter, the officials heaved a sigh of relief after the monkey was neutralised.

Earlier in the day, the airport authorities spotted a monkey on the truss of the airport in the new terminal following which the operation to capture the wild began. However, the officials ran out of options shortly prompting them to make requisition for the services of the Forest officials.

The officials laid a trap by offering six sedative-laced bananas. Though the monkey took the bait, it was like a cumin seed in a camel’s mouth. The simian seemed sober even after consuming three spiked fruit. The monkey jumped from one truss to another oblivious of what’s happening on the ground. As the joint effort failed to yield any result, an expert team from Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP) was called in to tame the monkey.

Then, ‘Operation Monkey’ took off and the NZP officials used tranquillizing shots to capture the simian. Finally, the elusive monkey was captured much to the respite of the rescue team.

Special nets were spread to avoid any injury to the monkey. Besides, special arrangements were made so that the travellers do not face any inconvenience.

Honorary Wildlife Warden Khurda, Subhendu Mallick was also involved in the operation that lasted over eight hours.

The primate, however, did not hurt anybody or caused damage to the property.