Hundreds of Monkeys Down the Slope of Wilis to the Ngebel Village Settlement Ponorogo

Hundreds of long-tailed macaques (maccaa fascicularis) are again seen roaming in the Ngebel Market area, Wagir Lor Village, Ngebel District, Ponorogo Regency, East Java, as natural feed sources in the Wilis Mountains forest area decrease during the dry season.

According to village residents, the appearance of the troop of monkeys is a phenomenon that almost occurs every year during the dry season.

"During the dry season, they often come down to look for food. They come in groups, the number can be more than a hundred tails," said Kepri, a resident of Wagir Lor Village, as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, July 16.

According to him, the troop of monkeys generally combs the market area to look for leftover food or take food that is placed open on the trader's stall.

However, so far the wildlife has not shown aggressive behavior towards residents or market visitors.

"Usually they just look for food. If the trade is closed or guarded, they also do not bother," he said.

Another resident, Kasno, said the appearance of monkeys almost happened every day during the dry season because the availability of feed in their natural habitat was reduced.

"It almost rains every day. So far, it has only been looking for food and has never attacked traders," he said.

Residents appeal to traders and market visitors to store food properly so as not to lure groups of monkeys to approach the community's activity area.

This phenomenon has become part of the life of the community around Telaga Ngebel which borders directly on the Wilis Mountain forest area.