After a masked chimpanzee spraying disinfectant at a controversial metro area animal attraction went viral, the authorities today went to tell them to knock it the hell off.

Varawuth Silpa-archa, environment minister, today led a team to the Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo to tell the owner to stop putting the male, 6-year-old chimp on a bike with a face mask and shield to ride around spraying disinfectant during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The incident, widely circulated on media since last week, drew complaints that it might pose health risks to the little ape. The facility, located southeast of Bangkok in Samut Prakan, endures despite a long, documented history of mistreatment and abuse.

Uten Yangprapakorn, acting chief of the venue, said the monkey likes pedaling the bicycle, so he attached disinfectant rank to it. He said that didn’t force the animal to pedal the bike.

Varawuth ordered the venue to stop using the chimpanzee or any other animal to spray disinfectant as it must be done by human hands only.

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