As world-class badminton players gather in New Delhi for the upcoming championships, a unique group of individuals is focused on an entirely different task: keeping monkeys away from the event.
Nazar Khan, a 65-year-old member of a four-person team, has been hired as a “monkey whisperer” to ensure that rhesus macaques do not disrupt the competitions at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, which is set to kick off on Monday. This venue has had its fair share of issues in the past, including a monkey interrupting the India Open earlier this year.
To prevent any similar incidents during this prestigious event, the organizers have decided to rely on “monkey wallahs”—individuals who mimic the sounds of langurs, the natural enemies of these smaller monkeys. Khan explained that “we’ve been doing this for generations, starting with live street shows featuring monkeys and bears. But those were banned, and we had to adapt our skills to chase away monkeys instead.”
In a predominantly Hindu nation, the monkeys are often revered, but in the city, they can be quite a nuisance. They often invade gardens, offices, and homes, sometimes aggressively seeking food from people. For many years, monkey handlers with trained langurs would scare off the smaller primates, but following a court ruling, this practice has been outlawed.
Now, teams like Khan’s must rely on their expertise and the ability to create convincing animal sounds. Khan noted, “There are a few monkeys roaming the area, and it’s said that two of them might be dangerous, but we know how to make the sounds that send them away. We’re skilled at this.”
Khan’s responsibilities don’t end with monkeys. “We also deal with stray dogs,” he mentioned. “We catch them and safely remove them from the area, making sure no animals are harmed in the process.” He also took pride in sharing that his grandson is part of a team responsible for keeping monkeys off the premises of the Prime Minister’s office.
Faryad Ali, Khan’s nephew and fellow monkey wallah, showcased his craft by producing various animal noises that help keep the primates at bay. Despite the challenges of their job—including the occasional bite—Ali shared that they simply treat the injury with chili powder and carry on, saying, “It’s just part of the job.”
The use of these monkey whisperers has drawn some laughter online, but Indian badminton star P.V. Sindhu came to their defense. She pointed out that just as Wimbledon uses hawks to deter pigeons, every major sporting event faces its unique challenges. “This is just another precaution along with many already in place,” she noted.
The tournament organizers assure everyone that this unusual workforce is just one part of a comprehensive plan to avoid any disruptions similar to those seen at the earlier India Open. They have also applied a non-toxic gel on building structures to deter pigeons.
Sanjay Mishra, secretary of the Badminton Association of India, pledged that there will be no issues related to birds or animals during the championship, stating, “I’m completely confident this time around.”
