Langur Mimicry Artists to Keep Monkeys Away From Badminton Worlds
The upcoming Badminton World Championships at the IG Indoor Stadium in Delhi will have an unusual addition to its preparations: trained humans who can mimic langur calls and movements.
The artists have been brought in to keep rhesus macaques away from the venue during the championship. The unusual measure comes after monkey-related disruptions affected the India Open earlier this year.
Why Are Langur Mimicry Artists Being Used?
Rhesus macaques are known to avoid areas where they sense the presence of larger langurs, which can be territorial competitors.
Instead of using real langurs, authorities are employing trained mimicry artists who imitate their sounds and movements. The approach allows organisers to try a traditional deterrent without involving live animals.
The use of actual langurs is prohibited under India’s wildlife protection laws, making human performers a practical alternative.
Real Langurs Cannot Be Used
Using trained langurs to control monkey populations might sound like a straightforward solution, but Indian wildlife regulations prevent the practice.
The decision to employ human mimicry artists allows authorities to replicate the deterrent effect while avoiding the capture, transport or use of wild animals.
The artists are trained to reproduce the characteristic calls and behaviour of langurs in an effort to discourage rhesus macaques from approaching the stadium.
Lessons From the India Open
The decision comes after monkey activity reportedly created problems during the India Open earlier this year.
Rhesus macaques entering or moving around sporting venues can cause disruptions for players, spectators and organisers. At an international tournament, even a relatively small interruption can create logistical and security concerns.
With the World Championships expected to attract players, officials and fans from around the world, organisers are taking preventive measures before the event begins.
Preparing the Venue for an International Championship
The IG Indoor Stadium will host matches involving some of the world’s best badminton players.
Keeping the venue free from animal-related disruptions is therefore part of the broader preparations for the championship. The langur mimicry artists will form one element of those efforts.
Their presence may be unusual, but the objective is straightforward: discourage monkeys from entering the competition area and help ensure matches can take place without interruptions.
A Unique Delhi Solution
The unusual strategy has already attracted attention because of its combination of wildlife behaviour and human performance.
Langur mimicry has been used in parts of India as a method of discouraging rhesus macaques, particularly in places where monkey activity has become a recurring problem.
Using the technique around a major international sporting event shows how organisers are adapting to a very local challenge.
Final Thoughts
The upcoming Badminton World Championships in Delhi will feature an unusual line of defence against unwanted visitors.
With real langurs ruled out because of wildlife laws, trained human mimicry artists will attempt to keep rhesus macaques away from the IG Indoor Stadium by imitating langur calls and behaviour.
After disruptions at the India Open earlier this year, organisers will be hoping the unconventional approach works and allows the world’s top badminton players to compete without any unexpected interruptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are langur mimicry artists being hired?
They are being used to discourage rhesus macaques from approaching the badminton venue by imitating the calls and behaviour of langurs.
Why can’t real langurs be used?
The use of real langurs for this purpose is restricted under India’s wildlife protection laws. Human mimicry artists provide an alternative without using live animals.
Where will the Badminton World Championships be held?
The championship will take place at the IG Indoor Stadium in Delhi.
Why are organisers concerned about monkeys?
Rhesus macaques have previously caused disruptions at sporting venues, including during the India Open earlier this year.
How does langur mimicry help keep monkeys away?
Rhesus macaques can perceive langurs as a territorial threat. Mimicking their calls and movements may encourage the macaques to stay away from the area.
Are the mimicry artists trained?
Yes. The people being employed for the task are trained to imitate langur sounds and behaviour.
Is this the first time the technique has been used?
Human langur mimicry has been used in India to discourage rhesus macaques in areas where monkey activity is a recurring problem.
