Sri Lanka is set to conduct its first-ever nationwide monkey census soon.
The initiative comes in response to reports revealing that monkeys destroyed millions of coconuts in 2024,
The government has enlisted the collaboration of several key ministries, including the Ministry of Plantation Industries, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Police Department for the monkey census.
Chairman of the Coconut Cultivation Board Dr. Sunimal Jayakody highlighted the need for accurate data collection during the census. “This information will be crucial for developing future strategies to manage the monkey population and minimise the damage they cause to coconut cultivations,” Dr. Jayakody said.