Tamil Nadu Man Files Petition To Meet Infant Monkey He Rescued. Here’s What The Court Said

The Madras High Court has granted permission to a veterinarian to reunite with a partially paralysed baby monkey he treated for 10 months in the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu.

According to a report by NDTV, the young monkey was paralysed after multiple dog attacks in Coimbatore and was recently moved to the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Chennai by forest officials, which the veterinarian claimed overlooked the animal’s well-being.

The veterinarian Dr Vallaiappan, argued that the monkey requires ongoing care as it has not yet completely recovered and become independent. The court has allowed him to visit the monkey on Saturday and submit a report to help decide the case.

Dr. Vallaiappan looked after the monkey from December last year until October this year when authorities relocated it two weeks ago. The court noted that the bond between humans and animals should be approached with care and sensitivity.

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Valliappan Approaches Madras High Court

As per the report by Free Press Journal, last December, when Valliappan visited the Ranipet district for a dog sterilisation camp, a forest guard came up with a two-month-old injured bonnet macaque bitten by a dog with symptoms of rabies.

The monkey, which weighs just 200 grams, was treated by Valliappan who kept the animal in his personal care for the past 10 months. For this period of time, the macaque remained dependent on him including for feeding, sleeping, and excretion.

After forest officials took the baby monkey from his care, Valliappan approached the Madras High Court, requesting that the animal be returned to him for ongoing care. He assured the court he would submit regular progress reports and present the monkey to forest officials whenever required.

A report detailing the “interaction” between him and the monkey will be submitted by Valliappan and forest officials on November 19. After this, the court will decide on his request for temporary custody of the monkey until it can feed independently.