No monkey business: Indian badminton organisers deploy men to mimic primates at stadium

Badminton officials in India were forced to bring in monkey whisperers ahead of an international tournament as the country strives to boost its credibility before hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games and bidding for the 2036 Olympics.

The unusual measure was introduced after monkeys invaded the stands during the India Open earlier this year at the same stadium in New Delhi, leaving the Badminton Association of India (BAI) red-faced. The event was also disrupted by pigeons leaving droppings on the court.

The ⁠small group of men tasked with keeping the monkeys at bay have an unusual skill: they can mimic the calls of langur monkeys, which scare off Rhesus monkeys. The langur, a ‌bigger primate with a black face, is a potent antidote to the problem, and they are routinely deployed in offices in the capital.

Zafar, one of the mimics, showed his skill during a media tour.

“Monkeys are absolutely terrified of langurs, which is why mimicking is so effective,” he said. “I have served in several government offices, and the idea is not to harm the monkeys, but just to make sure they won’t come.”

Staff at the venue have also resorted to coating roof pipes with a non-toxic gel commonly used on railway lines to stop pigeons from nesting.