Farmers in the Indian province of Uttar Pradesh have taken a novel approach to protecting their crops from wildlife. The Dealer heard that troops of monkeys have raided fields taking potatoes and strawberries in the province that is home to the famous Taj Mahal.

To combat this a number of farmers in the Sambhal District have taken to donning bear costumes and patrolling their fields in an effort to deter the rowdy bands of 100 to 250 monkeys.

After scarecrows and chasing them away had failed, the local farmers decided to play on monkeys’ natural fear of bears. Acknowledging this could work in the short term, forest rangers have said that measures to relocate the monkeys will have to be taken.

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