Cambodia Cracks Down on YouTubers Torturing Monkeys at Angkor Heritage Site

A disturbing trend has emerged at Cambodia’s Angkor UNESCO World Heritage Site, where a group of YouTubers has been accused of tormenting and harassing monkeys for the sake of online views and financial gain. These individuals, driven by the pursuit of online fame, have resorted to egregious acts of animal cruelty, drawing widespread condemnation and prompting authorities to consider legal action.

The Authority for the Protection of the Site and Management of the Region of Angkor (APSARA) has taken a firm stance against such illicit activities, recognizing the gravity of the situation. Long Kosal, a spokesperson for APSARA, emphasized the severity of the issue, stating, “They’re making the content to earn money by having views on YouTube, so this is a very big issue for us.”

The mistreatment of monkeys at Angkor has reached appalling levels, with YouTubers resorting to tactics such as physically tormenting the animals and engaging in inappropriate behavior to capture sensational footage. Shocking examples include holding baby animals by their necks and dousing them with water, as well as engaging in sexual exploitation of male macaques for the camera.

Long Kosal has underscored the importance of holding these individuals accountable under the law. He asserts, “If we can build a case, they will be arrested for sure. Any animal abuser will be seriously punished by law in Cambodia.”

While social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram have policies in place to remove graphic content involving animals, videos depicting close encounters with wildlife are often permitted. This loophole incentivizes YouTubers to exploit animals for content creation, leading to detrimental consequences such as increased aggression among monkeys towards tourists.

Tourists visiting Angkor are now at risk of confrontations with aggressive monkeys, as they are emboldened by the presence of food and the expectation of handouts. Long Kosal warns, “If the tourists resist, they bite and this is very dangerous.” This poses a serious threat to the safety of visitors and undermines the integrity of Angkor as a revered cultural and historical site.

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