In India, there is a rapid change in the eating habits of people. The eating habits of humans are now affecting animals too. A research conducted on monkeys in Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, has revealed shocking things. The monkeys here are becoming more dependent on human food like ice cream, bread and cereals instead of fruits, flowers and leaves found in the forests. According to research by Durham University, about 61 percent of the total food of monkeys living in urban areas of Shimla is food provided by humans. This means that now more human food is reaching the plates of these monkeys than natural food.
Research revealed that 14.9 percent of the monkeys' food was grains, while 10.8 percent was ice cream and 10.7 percent bread. Apart from this, the share of fruits obtained from humans was also 10.8 percent. On the other hand, leaves, grass and other natural plants constitute only 35.4 percent of their total food. Research also found that the share of human food in the diet of male monkeys has reached 75.4 percent.
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Is this change only in monkeys of Shimla?
People in Shimla are troubled by the terror of monkeys and every day pictures appear on social media in which monkeys are seen snatching food. The question arises whether such a change has occurred in the diet of monkeys in only one city. The answer is no. Research was conducted on long-tailed monkeys during 2021-22 in a national park in Indonesia. This research, published in the year 2023, found that on average, 53.9 percent of the monkeys' diet was food from humans, while the share of natural food was 43.8 percent. With the increase in the number of tourists, the monkeys' dependence on human food was also found to be increasing. Along with this, research revealed that due to easy availability of food, there has been a difference in the movement of monkeys and their living area.
What are the monkeys eating?
Such changes have been seen not only in Shimla or Indonesia but also in other parts of the world. In April 2026, researchers at Cambridge University published a research on the Barbary macaque monkeys of Gibraltar. It was found that after eating food like chocolate, chips and ice cream given to tourists, some monkeys have started eating soil. Scientists recorded 46 incidents of soil eating over 98 days of observation between 2022 and 2024. Researchers believe that eating too much sweet, salty and low fiber can affect the digestive system of monkeys and eating mud may be their way of dealing with stomach problems.
Impact on health?
Along with the change in diet, its effect is also visible on health and similar questions are being raised regarding this change in the diet of monkeys. A report published in February 2024 analyzed the effects of human food on Moroccan Barbary macaque monkeys. It examined the relationship between high-calorie human diets and the body weight of monkeys.
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risk of disease
Scientists also said that discarded human food could increase the risk of bacteria and parasites in monkeys. Shimla's research also shows that due to easy availability of food, monkeys rest for about 51 percent of the day. According to experts, it is important to avoid feeding monkeys, keep dustbins covered and dispose of food waste properly. With this, along with saving the natural eating habits of monkeys, the conflict between humans and wildlife can also be reduced. At present, this change in the eating habits of monkeys is being seen in many parts of the world. Especially in those places where tourism related activities have increased.