Officials have been investigating in an attempt to capture the Japanese macaques (also called snow monkeys) responsible for the attacks, but all efforts so far have been unsuccessful, CNN reported.

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The monkeys, found in large areas of Japan and considered pests in some areas, have even reportedly been seen entering homes through windows or sliding doors. Children, adults and the elderly have been victims of aggressive monkey attacks, often suffering minor injuries such as scratches and bites to their necks, arms and legs, CBS reported. No serious injuries have been reported from a monkey attack. Story continues below ad French news agency AFP interviewed an unnamed Yamaguchi official from the agriculture department, who said it is not unusual to see monkeys in the mountainous region. “But it’s rare to see so many attacks in such a short period of time,” the city official added. Trending Stories

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Initial reports from Japanese media claimed a single macaque was responsible for the attacks, but local police have now said they cannot confirm whether a lone rogue or a group of monkeys is responsible. Police have set up traps and patrols to try to capture any aggressive monkeys. On Sunday, authorities were armed with tranquilizer guns, CNN reported. Residents of Yamaguchi were told by police to properly seal and insulate their homes to prevent monkeys from entering the property.

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Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shimbun spoke to residents who have witnessed the monkey attacks, including an unnamed father who had a macaque invade his home. “I heard crying from the ground floor, so I rushed downstairs,” the father told the news agency. “Then I saw a monkey crouching over my child.” Story continues below ad Japanese macaques were considered a vulnerable species until the early 20th century. Thanks to conservation efforts, the species is now classified as “least concern,” meaning the monkeys are commonly found in the wild. 2:42 The world reacts to the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Previous Video Next Video © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.