Injured monkey walks into Jashore vet hospital ‘seeking treatment’

An injured monkey walked into a government veterinary hospital in Jashore’s Jhikargacha upazila yesterday afternoon, apparently seeking treatment on its own.

The incident took place at the Upazila Livestock Hospital, where Upazila Livestock Officer Dr Masuma Akhter and Livestock Extension Officer Dr Abdur Rahman Sheikh attended to the injured animal.

Photographs of the treatment later circulated widely on social media, leaving many astonished.

At the same time, the veterinary officers drew praise for their compassionate response to the bleeding, helpless animal.

According to Dr Masuma, the monkey had sustained injuries to the backside of its body, which she said had probably been inflicted by a sharp weapon.

Locals said the monkey had earlier appeared at the Jhikargacha Upazila Health Complex and even at a local police station.

Upon entering the veterinary hospital, the monkey first sat quietly on a table in the treatment shed. It later moved into the pharmacy room, where it opened a few medicine bottles, sniffed them and even attempted to consume some.

During treatment, the animal remained calm. Doctors cleaned the wound with povidone-iodine and administered primary care.

“The monkey’s behaviour resembled that of a speech-impaired person,” said Dr Masuma. “It was as if it was trying to communicate its need for treatment.”