Thieving macaque monkeys

Long tailed macaques are opportunists and have learnt to steal from humans by aggression.

When I was in Songkhla in Jan 2012, I often went past Tang Kuan Hill which is a tourist area. There are lots of macaques here and stalls sell bananas and peanuts so the visitors can feed the monkeys. The stalls have wire netting around them so the monkeys cannot grab the food.

Bridge for the macaques to cross the road

This one is raiding the rubbish bin

From a stall further down the hill I bought a bag of pineapple for myself and walked off eating it, thinking all the monkeys were at the top of the hill. Suddenly a monkey came running towards me & took a flying leap onto my handbag. He grabbed my pineapple and in my surprise I shook the monkey off and dropped the pineapple bag. I then immediately picked it up. The monkey had such a surprised expression on his face, cos humans normally always lose out to the monkeys!!!!!!! He then left me alone and stalked off. First time I've ever won over the monkeys and I have lots of "attacks" at temples over the years!!!!

The following photos were taken at Batu Caves.

Opening a drinks can, and the one below has stolen a bag and is looking inside

This one is trying a flower

This one has stolen a whole garland

Are they edible?

See more on the macaques at Batu Caves.