This was published 7 years ago
Why tourists shouldn't feed monkeys: Man mobbed by monkeys turned into funny internet memes
By Annie Dang
Man mobbed by monkeys turned into a funny internet memesCredit: Reddit
Tourists are regularly warned not to feed monkeys, but one man ignored the advice and this is what happened.
The man was mobbed by a horde of monkeys after bringing a bag of treats to feed them, some even climbing onto the man's head.
The photo, which appeared on Reddit, shows the man with what looks like nine monkeys on him, four on his head, with his face hidden. Only part of the man's blue shorts, white tee and leg is visible through the swarm of monkeys clambering on him.
Of course the internet took the possibly terrifying scene and turned it into a series of funny memes, including a meme of Maximus Decimus Meridius, Russel Crowe's character in the film Gladiator, a tourist dressed in a banana suit and Donald Trump with his 'monkey' followers.
The Maximus Decimus Meridius, Credit: Reddit
When you dressed like food: The banana suit meme. Credit: Reddit
The out of your depth meme: Disney's Credit: Reddit
The Credit: Reddit
When you smell good, you should get all the attention: The deodorant meme.Credit: Reddit
Everyone needs a leader: The Trump meme.Credit: Reddit
The memes may poke fun at the situation but there are reasons why feeding monkeys is highly discouraged.
Monkeys often carry diseases like hepatitis B and rabies, so getting scratched by them means tourists need to seek medical assistance as soon as possible.
Monkeys are also susceptible to contracting germs and diseases from human hands.
If anything this internet sensation serves as reminder why it's always better for tourists to follow the warning signs - do not feed the monkeys. Or any animal, for that matter.
But it's not uncommon for tourist to do stupid things. Earlier this year a pair of tourists attempted to "rescue" a newborn bison calf from Yellowstone National Park because they thought it was cold. The tourists were wrong, the calf wasn't cold.
When returned, the calf was rejected by its mother because of human interference. The calf was abandoned, and had to be euthanased.
See also: Why tourists always do stupid things overseas
See also: Video: Airline funny keyboard cat plane meme
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