Are youtubers making Angkor dangerous for tourists? – Firstpost

Angkor Wat, one of the most impressive historical sites in the world in Cambodia, faces an unexpected threat, not for time or negligence, but of influencers of social networks.

In an attempt to create viral content, some youtubers have been feeding and causing the temple resident monkeys, turning them into aggressive discomforts that now attack tourists, damage ancient structures and interrupt the sacred atmosphere of the UNESCO site.

The authorities are now fighting for a solution and urge visitors to stay away from the growing gangs of angry macaques living around the extensive ruins complex. What is happening? Here is a closer look at the situation.

The threat of the monkey

For years, Angkor Wat’s macaques were only another part of the temple’s charm. The visitors would take photos while the monkeys trees trees, played in the ruins of the temple and occasionally erased a snack from a visitor.

With the temple becoming the main tourist attraction of Cambodia, these interactions only grew. According AFPMore than one million foreign visitors explored the site last year, and drink cute videos with the monkeys has become a common activity.

However, in recent years, youtubers looking for viral content have taken things too far. Many have been attracting monkeys with food, particularly bananas, to obtain first dramatic planes and, in some cases, physically abuse them.

Youtuber Ium Daro, who films the Angkor monkeys regularly, said AP that he had not seen abusing any monkey, and that he did not see a problem with what he and others were doing to make a living.

“The monkeys here are friendly,” he said. “After taking their photos, we give them food, so it is as if we pay them for them giving us the opportunity to take a photo.”

However, Apsara’s national authority warns that this human interaction has gradually remodeled the natural instincts of the monkeys. Instead of behaving like wild animals, they now act more as aggressive pets, snatching food and even hurting people.

“There are no exact figures, but some people have suffered injuries, including torn skin, while others have stolen their food,” said Long Kosal, spokesman for Apsara’s national authority. The post.

Turist Cadi Hutchings, who visited the Unesco site some time ago, was very aware of the risk. After a warning of his tour guide, he made sure to maintain his distance.

“What they want is their food, but you must also appreciate that there must be a limit between human intervention in nature,” said the 23 -year -old of Wales AP. “Obviously, it is a great thing that so many tourists come because it is such a charming place, but at the same time, you must be careful that with more and more people … the monkeys do not acclimatize too much.”

A threat to the 900 -year -old temple

Not only tourists are at risk, growth chaos caused by macaques is also endangering Angkor Wat.

Kosal told him AFP That together with the security concerns for visitors, officials are increasingly alarmed by the damage that these monkeys are causing the temple of centuries.

“In addition to biting visitors, they have been uploading and pushing stones down, damaging the temples,” he said, added that the Macacos have also destroyed information boards.

What are the authorities doing?

The Cambodian authorities have urged tourists to avoid interacting with the monkeys while exploring the ruins and are now looking for “an appropriate solution” to address the problem before more damage is done.

There is even talk about relocating some of the most aggressive, but that is easier to say it than to do it. The Ministry of Agriculture has announced plans for a monkey census to better understand the population and find a long -term solution.

Since the state of the Unesco World Heritage in 1992, Angkor Wat and his surrounding jungle have been granted an increase in legal and physical protections.

Officials hope that responsible life sightings not only attract more visitors, but also encourage conservation awareness between locals and tourists.

However, to balance tourism, preservation of heritage and the protection of wildlife remains a complex challenge.

With contributions from agencies