India is taking no chances ahead of the 2026 BWF World Championships in New Delhi, with organisers turning to an unusual solution to keep monkeys away from the tournament venue.
A team of professional “monkey whisperers” has been brought in to imitate the calls of langur monkeys, which are known to frighten rhesus macaques. The group will patrol around the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium when the World Championships begin on August 17.
The unusual measure comes after the India Open earlier this year was disrupted by a monkey entering the stadium, while pigeons also caused problems during matches. The incidents attracted international attention and prompted organisers to take additional steps to ensure similar disruptions do not occur during the World Championships.
Source: Prokerala
Zafar, a third-generation monkey mimic, is among those hired for the event. He explained that the method relies on reproducing the aggressive sounds of langurs to convince rhesus monkeys that a larger and potentially dangerous animal is nearby.
“Monkeys are absolutely terrified of langurs, which is why mimicking is so effective,” Zafar said.
The approach is also designed to keep the animals safe rather than harm or capture them. The use of actual langurs for this purpose was previously stopped after the animals received protected status under Indian wildlife laws.
The monkey deterrent is just one part of a much wider effort to prepare the venue. Organisers have sealed vents, installed additional barriers and introduced automatic double-door systems to make it harder for animals to enter the stadium.
Pigeons have also been targeted after bird droppings twice interrupted an India Open match between HS Prannoy and Loh Kean Yew. Non-toxic gel has been applied to parts of the stadium roof and ducts to discourage birds from settling there, while machines that reproduce the sounds of predatory birds have also been installed.
The preparations form part of a broader renovation of the venue as India prepares to host the World Championships from August 17 to 23, marking the tournament’s return to the country after 17 years.
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu acknowledged that the monkey solution may seem unusual but praised the effort being made behind the scenes to ensure the event runs smoothly.
“You can laugh at the solution, but you have to love the effort,” Sindhu said.
With the world’s leading shuttlers set to arrive in New Delhi, organisers will hope their unusual approach keeps the focus firmly on the badminton rather than the city's four-legged and winged visitors.
