A series of photos capturing monkeys in the central city of Da Nang with injuries — purportedly caused by humans — are drawing public attention in Vietnam.

The photos, taken by Nguyen Cong Hung, shows monkeys living near Linh Ung Pagoda in Son Tra Peninsula with damaged limbs and bloodied wounds, causing them difficulties in moving and climbing up trees.

The photographer, who spent two months observing and taking photos of the primates, said the monkeys’ wounds were probably inflicted by humans.

Son Tra District's rangers believed the monkeys had been injured in accidents with tour buses transporting visitors to and from the pagoda every day.

As the pagoda has become a famous attraction in Da Nang over the years, monkeys populating the area are less and less shy around people.

Frequent contact with tourists, who often feed them, has affected the animals’ feeding instincts and made them increasingly dependent on foods from visitors.

Many tourists feed the animals for photos despite local authorities’ advice against doing so.

This has resulted in incidents of monkeys attacking tourists in search of food. Oftentimes, the blame goes to the animals instead of the people who invade their natural habitat.

Earlier, a local photographer was met with public anger after a video capturing him using a slingshot to attack monkeys at Linh Ung Pagoda had been spread over social media.

A photographer is seen using a slingshot to attack monkeys at Linh Ung Pagoda in Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang, Vietnam. Photo: Ngoc Truc

According to the photographer, he only wanted to threaten the animals so that they would not bother tourists visiting the place, and was not aiming directly at the monkeys.

Local authorities later summoned L. for his action but imposed no penalty on him considering he had not injured any monkey.

L. was also required to commit himself to not repeating his action.

Son Tra was formerly dubbed ‘Monkey Mountain’ as it is home to large populations of monkeys and langurs as well as a variety of other native animals.

Along with the city’s tourism boom and human encroachment upon the peninsula, local wildlife has faced increasing threats to their survival.

Below are some photos by Nguyen Cong Hung capturing monkeys in Son Tra with injuries. (Warning: Some viewers may find the following images disturbing.)

A monkey that has lost two of its limbs struggles to walk with its remaining limbs in Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang, Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Cong Hung / Tuoi Tre

A monkey that has lost its left arm suffers from another wound on its neck allegedly from being shot in Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang, Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Cong Hung / Tuoi Tre

A monkey looks at an open wound on its belly in Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang, Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Cong Hung / Tuoi Tre

A monkey comforts a friend that suffers from an injury allegedly from being shot in Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang, Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Cong Hung / Tuoi Tre

A monkey that has lost three of its limbs is seen scratching its head by its only hand left on a rock near Linh Ung Pagoda in Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang, Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Cong Hung / Tuoi Tre

A monkey that has lost its left foot is pictured hugging the injured limb in Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang, Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Cong Hung / Tuoi Tre

A monkey that has lost its left arm cares for its young in Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang, Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Cong Hung / Tuoi Tre

A monkey that has lost a large swath of hair on its back is pictured in Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang, Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Cong Hung / Tuoi Tre

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