Langur whisperers hired to keep monkeys out of Badminton Worlds

The Story in Brief

Delhi has hired men who mimic langur calls to keep monkeys away from the BWF World Championships starting August 17 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. The move follows embarrassment in January when monkeys entered the playing hall and pigeon droppings fell on courts during the India Open. Mimics like Jabbar earn Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 per assignment.

The Sports Authority of India spent roughly Rs 20 crore on renovations, including automatic double-doors at 16 entrances, a sound machine imported from the USA to deter pigeons, and pigeon-repellent gel on rafters. Langur mimics were used earlier during the 2023 G20 Summit, after the Wildlife Protection Act banned live langurs for guard duty.