A man surnamed Xiao from Kaohsiung City went hiking on Shoushan Mountain yesterday morning. While resting at Xiaopingding, he took out some fruit to eat when a monkey suddenly rushed over to snatch it. During the scuffle, the monkey bit Xiao on his right forearm, causing heavy bleeding. Firefighters arrived at the scene upon report, dressed his wound, and then sent him to the affiliated hospital of Kaohsiung Medical University for treatment.
The affiliated hospital of Kaohsiung Medical University stated that Xiao had a 3-centimeter bite wound on his right forearm. Doctors performed surgery to suture the wound and administered antibiotics. The patient is currently hospitalized for observation and treatment, and is expected to be discharged in about a week.
Shoushan Mountain Footpath: Rampant Monkey Behavior
The 65-year-old man surnamed Xiao left his home in Lingya District yesterday morning and arranged to go hiking on Shoushan Mountain with friends. Around 7:50 a.m., he arrived at Xiaopingding to rest. When he took out some fruit from his bag to eat, a monkey suddenly rushed out from behind to snatch the food. After a fierce tug-of-war with the monkey, Xiao was severely bitten on the arm, and blood gushed out immediately.
Seeing the bloody scene, Xiao’s friend immediately called 119 for help. After firefighters arrived, they disinfected and dressed Xiao’s wound. Two paramedics helped him down the mountain and then transported him to Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital by ambulance for treatment.
Yang Pingyu, secretary-general of the Shoushan Association in Kaohsiung City, said that due to improper feeding by tourists, the monkeys on Shoushan have developed a habit of associating plastic bags carried by hikers with food, leading to such snatching incidents. She urged hikers not to carry food in plastic bags, avoid exposing food, and keep it in non-transparent backpacks instead.
Feeding monkeys improperly will result in a fine of NT$3,000
The Shoushan National Nature Park Administration stated that they have already contacted Mr. Xiao and will assist with insurance claims. They asked him to submit his medical receipts to the administration office, which will handle the process together with the insurance company. This year, there have been about 10 cases of monkey attacks on people, six of which have been compensated, with the highest payout being over NT$10,000. Four cases are still being processed.
Xu Shuguo, secretary of the Shoushan National Park Preparatory Office, said that since the Shoushan National Nature Park announced a ban on feeding monkeys last June, 14 warning notices have been issued. This year, the Shoushan detachment of the National Park Police has already fined two individuals for feeding monkeys, with each case resulting in a NT$3,000 penalty.
Xu Shuguo said that the activity areas of Shoushan monkeys and humans are too close. He urged hikers who need to eat to be aware of their surroundings for any roaming monkeys to avoid having their food snatched or being bitten.