The usual human/wildlife conflict cases involving elephants, leopards, hippos, hyenas, snakes, crocodiles or lions have taken a break as conflict between humans and monkeys take centre stage.

That monkeys now bite humans and cause bodily harm is surreal. Yet 15 cases of bloody monkey attacks have been reported in Trans-Nzoia, in the last two months. Cases of monkeys biting people go beyond Kenya. Less than a week ago, an unstoppable monkey attacked a woman at a shopping mall in India, and snatched her shoe after climbing onto her head, pulling her hair and biting her. On January 9, in Japan, a monkey bit a man as he enjoyed an afternoon jog. 

In an article published by “The Conversation” in January 2024, a primate expert links such monkey attacks to over-habituation. The expert describes ‘habituation’ as “a process used by researchers to gain animals’ trust” for ease of following and recording of their behaviour. It feels like drawing them closer so you can study them with ease. But the expert says some, like squirrels (or monkeys in the tropics) in city parks, become unintentionally habitual after getting accustomed to handouts. With time, such monkeys become entitled and more aggressive.