Monkeys are reportedly destroying crops belonging to farmers along the Katete River in Katete District of Eastern province.

The monkeys have so far destroyed a large portion of maize leading to food insecurity amongst the affected farmers. 

ZANIS reports that one of the affected farmers, Keyson Sakala said he has lost maize due to monkeys which have been invading farms.

“I can’t call it eating, these monkeys have been terrorising us for the past three weeks. This crop is meant for our food and not selling,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) in Katete, has appealed to farmers to stay calm as the department was doing everything possible to scare away the animals. 

Katete DNPW in-charge, Chilenga Nkhoma said his office was controlling the wildlife before it deepens the food insecurity of the farmers along the stream.

“The troop of monkeys has been terrorising the farms for the past three weeks, but we are on the ground to control them. They are just eating the crop that is along the stream,” he said.

Katete has been experiencing various episodes of human animal conflict ranging from crocodile attacks, lions and now a troop of monkeys.