On December 1 in Xuancheng, Anhui, along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway of Southern Anhui, a group of wild monkeys aggressively demanded food from passing vehicles and tourists. A man walking nearby was almost stripped of his pants by one of the monkeys, prompting a woman by the roadside to throw fruit to distract the animal and help him escape. Witnesses speculated that the man might have angered the monkeys by not offering them any food.

These monkeys, identified as Huangshan short-tailed macaques, typically move in family groups ranging from a few individuals to over a dozen. They often rest in shady spots by the roadside or sit in the middle of the road, watching for tourists who might feed them. Once they seize food, they gleefully retreat to nearby trees to enjoy their prize.

In recent years, as tourist numbers have increased, the monkeys have become accustomed to being fed by humans. However, this has led to problems, including obstructing traffic and posing potential safety risks to visitors.

Wildlife protection authorities have installed warning signs in areas frequented by the monkeys, urging tourists to maintain a safe distance, limit or avoid feeding, and respect the animals’ natural instincts to preserve their survival skills in the wild.