Monkeys have reportedly entered Bahria Enclave in Islamabad, with residents complaining that the animals have started snatching food and moving close to homes.
According to wildlife officials, the monkeys appear to have shifted towards Bahria Enclave after being displaced from the Bari Imam and Noorpur Shahan area, where a large anti-encroachment operation has significantly changed the local landscape in recent months.
اسلام آباد کی ہائوسنگ سوسائٹی بحریہ انکلیو میں بندر گُھس آئے، گھروں سے کھانے کی اشیا اُٹھانے لگے، وائلڈ لائف حکام کے مطابق بری امام کے علاقے میں آبادی ختم ہونے کے بعد بندر بحریہ انکلیو کا رُخ کر رہے ہیں۔۔!! pic.twitter.com/DtVj4bWbEQ
— Khurram Iqbal (@khurram143) May 6, 2026
The clearance drive, carried out by the Capital Development Authority (CDA), targeted informal settlements in the Bari Imam belt, including parts of Muslim Colony and Noorpur Shahan.
Officials believe the large-scale demolition and habitat disruption may have forced the monkey population to move towards nearby residential areas in search of food and shelter.
Rhesus macaques are commonly found in and around the Margalla Hills and the Bari Imam Shrine, where they are known for frequent interaction with visitors. The species is native to South Asia and often drifts into populated areas when its natural habitat is disturbed.
The latest reports from Bahria Enclave have raised concerns among residents about safety, property damage and growing human-wildlife conflict in the capital’s expanding residential zones.
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Wildlife move to areas which were previously domain of their habitat. Unfortunately, now urbanization is encroaching forest lands and park area. As a consequence wildlife moving in urban areas.