Farmers in Uttar Pradesh, India, have adopted an innovative approach to protect their crops from marauding monkeys by wearing bear costumes. After receiving no assistance from local authorities, villagers collectively purchased a bear costume to patrol their fields, as monkeys tend to avoid bear-like figures. A video from Lakhimpur Kheri district showcases a farmer in the costume safeguarding mustard, chickpea, wheat, and sugarcane crops.
This strategy has reportedly been effective in deterring the primates. In response, local authorities are now educating farmers on alternative methods to protect their crops from monkeys, acknowledging the challenges posed by wildlife to agriculture in the region.