Monkey business at Dr Ambedkar Airport

Nagpur: Trap a monkey at Dr Ambedkar International Airport premises and get Rs 1,000, or trap a pig and get Rs 300. This is what the Airports Authority of India (AAI) officials are paying an expert monkey trapper to check the monkey and pig menace at the airport.
The expert — Haider Khan Maner from Sangli — has already begun the job of trapping monkeys and succeeded in trapping nine monkeys using his techniques. The monkeys will be relocated to Nagzira and nearby forest areas under the supervision of forest officials, a senior AAI official informed on Thursday.
Notorious for the intrusion of stray animals, including pigs, on the runway, Dr Ambedkar International Airport at Nagpur is now fighting a running battle with monkeys. Sources informed that around 70-80 monkeys have created havoc in the airport premises. The monkeys are seen in groups, usually early in the morning and afternoon.
“If not controlled immediately, these animals may also pose danger to aircraft during landings and take-offs just like other animals,” fear airport officials.
Interestingly, the monkeys are not afraid of the recently-installed zon guns — an LPG cylinder-operated device that emits loud bangs at irregular intervals.
27/06/08 Sachin Dravekar/Times of India

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Categories: Airports Jun 2008, Safety Jun 2008