According to The Jakarta Post, 17 people, including children and elderly residents, had been attacked as of Thursday after a troop of long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) appeared around Tembilahan.
Officials said a large adult male was suspected of carrying out the attacks, which occurred on roads, outside homes and inside several residences. Some victims required stitches.
The incidents prompted authorities to order schools across Tembilahan district to switch to remote learning for three days starting on Wednesday over safety concerns.
Officials said the captured macaque matched descriptions provided by victims and witnesses, citing its size, aggressive behaviour and a distinctive scar-like mark on its face, according to JPNN.
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