A wild Japanese macaque allegedly grabbed a stray cat and flung it into a garden pond, then turned on a 49-year-old homeowner in Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. The incident occurred around 3.40pm on Tuesday, October 13, when the monkey reportedly wandered onto the man's property.
Cat thrown into pond
The resident, who told local reports he does not own pets, said a stray cat regularly visits his garden, which contains a pond. He heard a loud splash and went to investigate, allegedly seeing a macaque, estimated at about 50cm (19.7 inches) tall, grab the cat and hurl it into the water.
As he moved closer, the macaque reportedly climbed onto the roof and stared down at him "menacingly". Moments later, it jumped back to ground level. When the homeowner briefly turned his back, the monkey leapt onto his back and clawed at him aggressively, despite his heavy work clothes, according to Sora News 24. The primate then fled into nearby woodland.
Injuries and wider concerns
The man was left with long scratches on his skin. His injuries were described as minor, but he still sought medical attention. The cat reportedly managed to scramble out of the pond and survived without serious injury.
The incident has sparked fresh concern in the area, with wildlife officials warning it is not a one-off. Last month, on September 8, a monkey in another part of Shunan City reportedly grabbed a local woman and tore at her clothing.
The latest attack comes amid a wider wave of unsettling wildlife encounters in Japan. After months of bears dominating headlines, reports suggest monkeys are now causing growing alarm too, including the infamous "Troop T1" in Yugawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, which has been blamed for surrounding and attacking a man out for a morning stroll, as per Sora News 24.
Safety advice and patrols
Following the Shunan incident, municipal officials and wildlife experts reiterated safety advice for anyone who comes face-to-face with a wild macaque. Residents are urged to avoid direct eye contact, make themselves look as large as possible (for example by opening a coat), and back away slowly and calmly without sudden movements. People are also advised to keep pet food indoors and ensure doors and windows, including sliding ones, are securely locked.
Police have reportedly been stepping up patrols and urging locals to stay cautious as concerns grow over aggressive primate behaviour.
