Visitors to the ancient Angkor Wat temples in Cambodia are encountering an unexpected danger—at least, one not emanating from the thousand-year-old structures: increasingly aggressive macaques. According to authorities, social media influencers have been egging them on to attack unsuspecting visitors.
Reports indicate that YouTubers, in search of viral content, have been feeding, teasing, and provoking the monkeys in order to film dramatic reactions on camera. In this way, the natural behaviors of the macaques were changed, with them becoming bold and aggressive towards visitors, who get their food and cameras snatched away.
The authorities running the parks have advised tourists not to go close to the monkeys and not to feed or entertain them since it makes them aggressive. The tourists, unfortunately, had received scratches and bites and people worried about their safety and chances of getting rabies.
As the government cracks down on reckless influencers, conservationists stress that responsible tourism must be maintained for the protection of both wildlife and visitors. This may be further enhanced with more stringent regulations and potential fines to contain the problem before it worsens.
