Sayajibaug on edge as elusive macaque outsmarts every trap

Vadodara: A male Rhesus macaque has become a persistent challenge for officials at Sayajibaug Zoo, evading capture for nearly five months despite repeated efforts by zoo staff, forest teams and rescue experts.Barely one-and-a-half feet tall, the monkey has repeatedly outsmarted traps laid across the zoo premises, slipping away each time and continuing to move freely within the Sayajibaug garden area. Officials said it has now gained a reputation as an elusive "fugitive" within the park.The situation turned serious after the monkey allegedly attacked and injured a six-year-old boy, prompting renewed and intensified efforts to capture it. Earlier, rescue operations had been slowed as the animal was not causing any disturbance.Zoo officials said multiple attempts to trap the monkey failed as it avoided cages and laid traps with surprising ease. "After the monkey attacked a boy recently, we again placed traps, but it is extremely smart and does not enter them," said Pratyush Patankar.Even chemical intervention attempts did not succeed. Officials said the monkey was tranquilised two days ago but managed to escape into the ravines of the Vishwamitri River near the garden. In another effort, fruits laced with sedatives were also used, but the monkey reportedly remained unaffected."We even gave it fruits mixed with strong sedatives, but it still managed to escape. We have now placed multiple trap cages across the garden area," Patankar said.Zoo authorities have now brought in veterinary doctors and wildlife experts to chalk out a fresh strategy to finally capture the elusive monkey, which continues to frustrate every rescue attempt.Female macaque as bait: Zoo officials attempted an unusual strategy to capture the notorious male Rhesus macaque at Sayajibaug Zoo by using a female macaque as bait .According to officials, the male monkey often lingers around the enclosure housing other Rhesus macaques and is known to share a close bond with a particular female macaque."We tried to use that bond to our advantage. The female macaque was kept inside a cage to lure him in. He came close to the cage, but soon realised it was a trap and disappeared," said Pratyush Patankar.