Representatives from India are concerned that when Donald Trump visits the Taj Mahal next week, he could be attacked by wild monkeys.
India has a major monkey problem at and around the Taj Mahal. Monkeys have been harassing tourists and even stealing everything from keys, food, glasses, and even shoes. It has gotten so bad the guards have begun to use catapults to fend the monkeys off.
Trump and Melania are scheduled to visit the Taj Mahal on February 24, Though Trump will have the protection of the Secret Service a large swarm of monkeys will not be something easily fended off.
‘If such a large troop of monkeys attacks Donald Trump’s entourage, it will be a disaster,’ one local resident told the India Times.
A member of India’s Central Industrial Security Force said that catapults would be “completely ineffective” against a large group of monkeys.
Government leaders have asked the forestry department to do whatever is necessary to keep the monkey’s at-bay during Trump’s visit.
It is estimated that as many as 700 macaque monkeys are currently living around the Taj Mahal.
Back in May of 2018 two tourists received injuries caused by the monkeys as they were taking photos at the popular tourist attraction.
The security force at the Taj Mahal has been equipped with slingshots to try and keep the monkeys at bay.
‘We found that monkeys get scared by just seeing us brandishing these slingshots,’ Brij Bhushan, the head of security for the Taj Mahal said.
The Taj Mahal has 25,000 daily visitors.
Trump is scheduled to leave for India on Monday. It is his first official trip to the country.
