“No food after midnight, no water, and stay away from bright light"

The monkeys at Phnom Bros temple are, like most temple monkeys throughout SEA, very used to humans. So much that they tend to be more domesticated than wild animals.

Cheeky troublemakers
These banana-crazed pig-tailed macaques are also quite the personalities, for good and bad. Keeping a distance, especially to their children, is highly recommended.

Unless you want trouble comparable to a mass attack of gremlins.

These monkeys are small, but they are strong and have sharp teeth. So, there is no use try picking a fight expecting to win.

Small gene pools
Another challenge for these monkeys is the few members in some of the local group. That is causing problems with inbreeding due to small gene pools.

First time I visited Phnom Bros there were some extreme examples of what happens when inbreeding Habsburger-style happens. To use a European example of what happens when science is lacking.

Three years later this inbreeding problem was mostly gone. And the monkey numbers were visibly larger. The Khmer caretakers of these animals are smarter than the Habsburgers. They make sure the monkeys are healthier, playing their part in these important cultural heritage sites.

I like that the monkeys also add some personality when visiting. Like the pose of Stripey here.

The Khmer female advantage
Phnom Bros and Phnom Srei are twin temples between Kampong Cham and Kampong Thom. They play an important role in the cultural history of Cambodia when it comes to engagements.

And why it is the man who must seek the lady and her family’s approval of engagement and marriage at the lady's home.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2021/04/27/the-brother-and-sister-pagodas-2/

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