Daijiworld Media Network – Shivamogga (EP)

Shivamogga, Nov 30: In a bizarre yet innovative move, a farmer painted his dog to resemble a tiger, to keep monkey menace at bay.

To avoid man-animal conflict, the farmers of the Malnad region are adopting creative techniques. Srikanth Gowda, a farmer residing in Nallur village, Theerthahalli taluk of Shivamogga district, painted his dog with stripes, so that it resembles a tiger.

Gowda tells media that the colour applied is safe. It is a hair dye which will remain intact for months. “I came up with this plan to keep monkeys away from my farm. Many farmers here are adopting unique techniques to protect their crops,” he said.

Recently, a farmer in Bhatkal had kept a big doll resembling a tiger to protect his farm produce from monkeys. Monkeys stopped coming to the farm after that.

Another farmer in Kakkarasiya, Soraba taluk installed speakers in his farm. He then frequently played barking noises, which kept wildlife and cattle away from the farm.

The government is also taking steps to solve monkey menace, by creating monkey parks in the forests and hence creating a separate habitat for them. The monkey parks are expected to be ready in a few months.