Monkeys Spread Out For Social Distance Snacks

Still confused by this 'social distancing' thing everyone keeps talking about during the coronavirus pandemic? Don't worry - a group of monkeys have shown us all how its done.

These macaques were photographed in Arunachal Pradesh, India, spaced out in evenly separated rows as they ate their lunch.

The surprisingly savvy primates were waiting to get a slice of watermelon - a stark difference from stealing sunglasses from people's heads, as anyone who's gotten a little too close at the safari park will attest.

Following an announcement made by the UK government last week, groups of up to six people from different households are now allowed to gather in private gardens and other outdoor spaces - provided they follow social distancing guidelines.

For clarity, those guidelines advise that you should stay two metres apart from anyone outside of your household.

Last month, before the new guidance was introduced, police said they were 'fighting a losing battle' attempting to enforce social distancing measures, as hundreds of people flocked to parks to enjoy the sunshine.

On 9 May, Hackney Police shared a photo on Twitter in which groups of people could be seen congregated across a park.

In the caption, the force said: "#OpPIMA and sadly we're fighting a losing battle in the parks today. Literally hundreds of people sitting having pizza, beers, wines. As always a big thank you to those that are observing the guidelines."

If only they'd had these macaques on hand to show them how it's done, eh?

However, not all monkeys are so compliant with the law - shocking footage released in May shows the moment one primate tried to 'kidnap' a little girl after jumping off a bike it was riding and pulling her down an alley.

Witnesses could be heard screaming as they saw the monkey grab the little girl's dress and drag her part way down the narrow street.

Filmed from above, the monkey abandons its bike, which looks like a mini motorcycle, before pulling her along and eventually giving up and running away.

Twitter

Thought to have been filmed in Tanjungsari Village, Indonesia, it approached a bench where a woman and three young girls were sitting, before taking one of the children away.

Thankfully, another man ran into the shot and scared the monkey off and the toddler ran crying back to her mother.

Topics: Coronavirus, Animals

Rebecca Shepherd

I'm Becky - a journalist at LADbible. I graduated with a First Class BA in Journalism before going on to cover criminal court cases, medical tribunals and breaking news for the national media - which inevitably and eventually became as glum as it sounds. Can often be found rocking a bag for life - which I made a 'thing' way before Rihanna. You can contact me at [email protected]

@RJShepherd94