Civic body to tag stray apes

Figure this: Since MCD cannot catch monkeys that have strayed into Delhi, it now plans to track their movement using the latest technology at its disposal.

Figure this: Since MCD cannot catch monkeys that have strayed into Delhi, it now plans to track their movement using the latest technology at its disposal.

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The civic agency wants to install microchips on these stray monkeys for tracking their movement with the help of Global Positioning System (GPS).

The MCD says this will help them ascertain if monkeys caught by them and relocated in Bhatti Mines Sanctuary are making their way back into the city.

MCD officials said although the forest and wildlife department had identified the number of monkeys in the city at 5,000, the civic agency caught over 7,500 in the past two years.

“This led us to consider whether monkeys relocated by us were returning to the city. By installing microchips we will know whether we are catching the same monkeys twice over,” said MCD commissioner K.S. Mehra.

It costs Rs 475 to install one microchip on an animal. The civic agency had fitted microchips on 12,336 cattle in the past one year, and spent about Rs. 59 lakh on the project.

The MCD has already installed microchips inside the stomach of cows and bulls to identify stray animals.

In the case of monkeys the chip will be installed underneath their skin.

The agency had to abandon the project of installing microchips inside bulls after receiving complaints from owners that their cattle’s health was being affected.

The MCD now plans to use ear tagging to identify bulls used for its carts.