Rebel Monkeys

Monkey Thieves बंदर चोर
Rhesus macaques of India
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Monkey Thieves (Hindi: बंदर चोर), also known as Rebel Monkeys, is a documentary series produced by National Geographic, examining the habits and social interactions of rhesus macaques in the city of Jaipur, in northwestern India. Monkey Thieves follows a family of urban macaques within Jaipur's 'Pink City' and all the drama that comes from living close to humans. The series tells the story of the "Galta Gang", a sixty-strong troop that lives in the Galta Temple, a Hindu temple on the outskirts of Jaipur. This bunch live in luxury because worshipers believe they personify Hanuman, the cherished 'Monkey God' who banished evil in the Indian epic Ramayana. Defending their prized home from invaders including neighboring langur monkeys and other troops of macaques, as well as exploring Jaipur in search of food and adventure, keeps this troop in action.

Each episode starts with an introduction of the Galta Gang, a successful troop of rhesus macaques that live in the Galta Temple within the city of Jaipur, northwestern India. Led by alpha male Tarak and his mate Rani, the troop prizes and defends their precious temple home. It is a privileged lifestyle, dining on food items handed over by worshipers visiting the temple as an offering of respect to Hanuman (the 'Monkey God' of India) and a continuous supply of water in pools fed by underground springs. It seems like paradise, but there is dissension in the ranks. Zamir, though the largest and most powerful male in the troop, is yet to be the leader and has ambitions of his own. He wants the crown for himself, and he is not afraid to use any means necessary to seize the top job. In order to gain the support he needs among lower-ranking members, the devious primate needs to show he can feed the family. But his raids on kitchens, cars and homes soon get him a reputation as the biggest monkey burglar in all of Jaipur. Zamir is eventually ousted from the troop, and spends months wandering the busy city streets on his own. Eventually he joins another troop, and in no time he's up to his old tricks. But before he can even put his plans in action, the alpha of his new gang is trapped by the city's monkey catcher along with many of his top lieutenants, and Zamir suddenly finds himself in charge. When the annual monsoon rains fail to appear as scheduled, a drought threatens the desert city's food supply and Jaipur's human population has no surplus resources to divert to the Galta Gang. Fewer people willing to hand out food to the macaques at the temple means empty bellies, forcing Tarak to leave their precious temple home unguarded as he leads his family into the city in search of feeding opportunities. Their ambitious neighbors the langur monkeys try to steal ownership of the ancient temple but the Galta Gang returns, launching into battle and forcing the langurs to flee. Life for the Galta Gang has many surprises. Zamir and his new troop launch a takeover bid for the temple but the Galta Gang holds them off as well. Zamir is eventually captured by the city's 'monkey catcher' and relocated 70 miles away. Tarak, the long-term alpha male of the Galta Gang, dies from wounds he sustained during the battle with Zamir's troop. Rani, the queen of the troop, also disappears, turning up days later with her newest baby at her breast. With their king gone and Zamir no longer a threat, Kamal, Tarak's second in command, takes over leadership of the Galta Gang.

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