BHOPAL: A monkey accused of violently attacking over 200 people at a village in Jabalpur district was captured on Sunday after forest rangers gave chase for five days. A bounty of Rs 10000 was declared on the ape by local villagers for its capture.

The 30 kg Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta), had reportedly inflicted injuries that led to hospitalisation for at least three people in Jabalpur's Bedaghat area in last six months, said sources. Rangers began the chase following reports that the monkey had attacked many villagers last Thursday and brutally bit some on their arms and legs. Some suffered blood loss and had to be hospitalized, said sources.

A team of 10 forest guards lured the moneky into a trap cage with bananas during a nine-hour operation. Villagers said there were two troops of monkeys in the area, but the ape was the only attacker. The chase was challenging for officers, given the monkey's briskness. It has been removed and released into another forest away from the village, said officials.

