What's happening
A number of campsites near forest reserves have reported an uptick in macaque activity around campsites, with monkeys becoming increasingly bold around food storage areas — a pattern typically linked to previous instances of campers feeding wildlife.
Why this matters
Habituated wildlife poses a safety risk to both campers and the animals themselves — bold macaques are more likely to be involved in conflict incidents, which can lead to authorities culling problem animals.
What campers should do
Store all food in sealed containers, never feed wildlife under any circumstances, and report increasingly bold animal behavior to campsite hosts or the relevant wildlife department rather than attempting to handle it directly. See the Wildlife Regulations & Ethical Interaction guide for more detail.