No monkey business this

M. Gautham Machaiah

At a time when animal rights activism has become more a fashion than a passion, there are still some good Samaritans whose heart genuinely bleeds for these speechless beings.

Armugam, a poor resident of the picturesque water spot Hogenkal, on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border is one of them. Away from the media glare, this 65-year-old man has devoted his life to the cause of wild monkeys.

Hogenkal is known for its primates, with hundreds of them making the road leading to the town their play area. Almost every day, at least one monkey gets knocked down by a speeding vehicle.

Arumgam’s day begins early in the morning, when he stations himself by the side of the highway. Every time he finds a monkey killed in an accident, he lovingly picks up the animal and dresses it up just as one would do to a human being.

The funeral takes place right by the highway, where local people and curious onlookers pay their respects. With the money collected from the people, Armugam conducts the last rights, before laying the animal to rest.

“These monkeys are a part of my life. It depresses me when they die in an accident, and it makes me even sadder when several other vehicles run over the body. Even an animal should be treated with respect,” he says.

May his tribe increase.

COMMENTS

How nice. We need people like this in Bangalore to take care of the stray dogs. We end up seeing so many of them killed by speeding vehicles but it is shameful that none of us stops to even move them to the roadside.
-Vachana Shetty, Bangalore

Good story. He is an inspiring Indian.
-Anantha Krishnan M, Bangalore

A very touching story. But the question is how many of us can actually contribute to such causes when 'TIME IS MONEY' concept has become the order of the day.
Injured humans are not attended to by their fellow beings these days, not to mention animals.
Hope this story will help in saving at least some lives.
-A. Anju, Hyderabad

When cars on highways do not bother about humans, will they care for animals?
I am glad that there are still some people who take care of animals even after their death. Now, that is true love for animals. Armugan’s efforts need recognition and support.
It is a well written article. Cheers.
-Jasneet Kaur Sahni, Hyderabad

It is an impressive story. The forest department should plant some fruit bearing trees in the jungle so that monkeys do not venture out to the roads.
-Machaiah B.U. Wayanad, Kerala