Long-tailed macaque chases, bites pedestrians on Ho Chi Minh City street

On Monday, a long-tailed macaque attacked Huynh Quoc Thinh on the sidewalk along Pham The Hien Street in Chanh Hung Ward, scratching and biting both his legs. 

He had to get rabies shots afterward, he said.

“It chased several other people, but they ran fast enough to get away. The more I ran and tried to dodge it, the more it bit me,” he said.

Another resident, Lieu Chi Phong, said he saw the monkey on the same sidewalk on the same day and offered it food. 

The animal suddenly jumped at him, scratching and biting his hand and leaving a deep wound that bled heavily. 

He went to a medical facility for stitches and rabies shots.

“I hope they catch the monkey so everyone can be safe,” Phong said. 

After receiving reports of the attacks, Ho Chi Minh City’s Forest Protection Department worked with local authorities and residents on Tuesday to search the area where the monkey had frequently been seen.

After searching several locations, forest rangers found the monkey hiding on a rooftop. They approached it, used a tranquilizer gun, and captured it. 

The animal was identified as a long-tailed macaque weighing about 7kg. It was taken into the department’s care for further handling in accordance with regulations.

A representative of the Ho Chi Minh City Forest Protection Department said that, under Circular No. 85/2025/TT-BNNMT issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) is classified under Group IIB on the list of endangered, precious, and rare forest plants and animals.

Residents who discover monkeys or other wild animals in their homes or residential areas should notify local authorities or relevant agencies so they can handle the situation.