When you think of monkeys, you probably picture cute, mischievous critters that swing from trees and steal bananas. But across the globe, these agile primates have occasionally turned lethal, taking human lives in startling ways. Below, we count the top 10 times monkeys turned deadly, delivering chilling accounts from India, Malaysia, China, and even a Greek monarch.
top 10 times Monkey Mayhem Unleashed
10 A Man Was Stoned To Death By Monkeys In India
In October 2018, Dharampal Singh set out to gather dry wood in Tikri, Uttar Pradesh, when a bizarre assault unfolded from the treetops. A troop of macaques, having scavenged bricks from nearby crumbling structures, began hurling the masonry down onto the unsuspecting man. The projectiles struck his legs, chest, and even his head. According to his brother, “Monkeys threw more than 20 bricks at Dharampal on Thursday,” and the sheer height from which they fell left Singh with no chance of evasion.
The 72‑year‑old victim succumbed to the brutal barrage, prompting his relatives to lodge a formal complaint at the Doghat police station. The officers, however, dismissed the case, remarking, “How can we register the case against monkeys? This will make us a laughing stock.” Monkeys have long been notorious in that village for aggressive behavior, and numerous grievances have already been recorded. Yet, the legal system struggles to hold the primates accountable, allowing the rogue group to continue terrorizing the community.
9 Monkeys Chased A Woman Off A Roof In India
January 2020 found 45‑year‑old Jayanti Swain attempting to dry laundry atop her roof in Jajpur, Odisha, when an unexpected visitor appeared. A lone monkey perched on the shingles, startling her so badly that she let out a scream and scrambled away—right off the edge. The frantic dash sent her plummeting to the ground, where she was later discovered by family members and subsequently declared dead at the hospital.
This harrowing episode unfolded on the eastern coast of India, a region already plagued by frequent monkey disturbances. Residents have long reported the primates raiding crops, stealing food, and causing general mayhem. While most encounters end without fatal outcomes, authorities have resorted to slingshots and sterilization drives to curb the ever‑growing monkey population in northern parts of the country.
8 A Pet Monkey Mauled And Killed Its Owner In Malaysia
In several Southeast Asian locales, monkeys are prized for their uncanny ability to climb trees and retrieve coconuts, effectively replacing dozens of laborers. Ngah Muhammad, a Malaysian farmer, attempted to train his pet monkey to fetch coconuts, only to have the plan backfire dramatically. Instead of dutifully climbing and dropping fruit, the primate turned on its owner, delivering multiple bites—most critically to the wrist.
The wound sliced a major artery, causing the 72‑year‑old man to bleed out. When his son, Mohd Zakaria Ngah, arrived at the grove to check on his father, the monkey lunged at him as well, biting his neck. The frantic screams attracted nearby villagers, who managed to scare the animal back into the jungle. The Malaysian Department of Wildlife and National Parks later tranquilized and likely destroyed the aggressive monkey.
7 Day Rampage, Killing One And Injuring Nine In India
May 2019 saw a central Indian village besieged by a single, rogue macaque that terrorized locals for nine consecutive days. The primate bit anyone it encountered, leaving a trail of injuries. The first victim was a 15‑year‑old boy who survived the bite, but a 60‑year‑old man named Nathuram later succumbed to his injuries.
The relentless attacks sparked a protest, with villagers blocking a major roadway and laying Nathuram’s body along the route, causing a massive traffic jam. Reports indicated that nearby hospitals lacked anti‑rabies vaccinations, heightening public panic. After a three‑hour search, authorities finally captured the monkey, bringing the harrowing episode to a close.
6 Monkeys Killed The Deputy Mayor Of New Delhi, India
In a shocking urban incident, Surinder Singh Bajwa, the Deputy Mayor of New Delhi, met his end at the hands of a small troop of rhesus macaques. While reading the newspaper on his balcony, the monkeys descended in a sudden swarm. Bajwa attempted to shoo them away, lost his balance, and fell from the terrace.
He was rushed to a hospital for head injuries but ultimately died from the fall in October 2007. Delhi’s government buildings are routinely overrun by macaques, prompting officials to deploy larger langurs to drive the smaller primates away. Nevertheless, the problem persists, with occasional violent episodes like this one.
5 A Child Was Snatched And Killed By A Monkey In India
In November 2018, a heartbreaking tragedy unfolded on the outskirts of Agra when a newborn, just 12 days old, was seized by a pack of wild monkeys. While his mother was nursing, the primates burst through an open front door, snatched the infant, and fled. The child was later discovered on a neighbor’s roof, still clutched by the monkey.
Bleeding and unresponsive, the infant was rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead. The same group of monkeys had earlier attacked a 14‑year‑old girl, underscoring the ferocity of the local primate population. The incident sparked outrage and calls for stricter control measures.
4 A Woman Was Bitten To Death In India
Just five days after the infant’s death, 58‑year‑old Bhoomi Devi met a grim fate in Agra. While stepping outside to answer nature’s call, a group of monkeys ambushed her, delivering multiple vicious bites. She was found drenched in blood, having lost a fatal amount of blood, leaving doctors powerless to save her.
The incident ignited protests demanding that the 25,000‑strong wild monkey population be removed from the protected list under the 1972 Wildlife Act. Residents called for compensation and stricter sterilization programs, fearing that women and children could no longer move freely without threat of attack.
3 An Alcoholic Monkey Went On A Rampage In India
Kalua, a macaque raised by an eccentric “occultist” in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, developed a bizarre addiction to hard liquor. When his owner died, Kalua experienced severe withdrawal, spiraling into hyper‑aggression. The intoxicated primate roamed the streets, assaulting roughly 250 people, with a disturbing preference for targeting women and children’s faces.
Authorities eventually cornered Kalua in the nearby forest and transferred him to Kanpur Zoo. Attempts to rehabilitate him failed; he refused fruit and vegetables, subsisting only on meat. Ultimately, he was isolated in solitary confinement, where he will remain for the rest of his days.
2 A Senior Chinese Businessman Was Killed By A Monkey In China
In April 2016, Weng Mai, a 67‑year‑old former chairman of Shanghai’s Guan Sheng Yuan Co., met his demise at Yuntai Mountain’s nature park in Henan. While posing for a photoshoot arranged by a travel agency, a macaque either hurled or nudged a large rock off a ledge, which struck Mai’s head.
The impact proved fatal, and despite immediate transport to Xiuwu County People’s Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries. The incident spurred investigations into park safety, though the travel agency insisted the monkey bore no responsibility. The region is known for hazardous rock‑fall activities, with a 2015 tragedy in Guilin that claimed seven tourists—not caused by a monkey.
1 A Monkey Killed A King In Greece
In October 1919, 27‑year‑old King Alexander of Greece suffered a fatal encounter with a Barbary macaque at his private Tatoi Estate near Athens. While walking his dog Fritz, the animal was attacked by a macaque, prompting the king to intervene. As he tried to separate the two, another macaque lunged from behind, biting his leg and upper body.
Initially dismissing the wounds as minor, the king’s health deteriorated as the bites became infected. An amputation might have saved him, but doctors hesitated, fearing complications. Twenty‑three days after the attack, the king died, leading to his father’s return to power and influencing the outcome of the Greco‑Turkish War. Winston Churchill later quipped that a monkey bite had caused the deaths of 250,000 people.