Langur handlers walk with the large monkeys outside Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on September 28, 2010. Delhi authorities are to deploy a contingent of langurs -- a large type of monkey -- at Commonwealth Games venues to help chase away smaller simians from the sporting extravaganza. Ten langurs will be put on duty outside several Games venues in the Indian capital, with the swimming complex seen as particularly vulnerable to monkey misbehaviour, an official said. AFP PHOTO/ Manpreet ROMANA (Photo credit should read MANPREET ROMANA/AFP/Getty Images)
Delhi authorities have enlisted the hairy help of a contingent of trained large black-faced langur monkeys to work as security guards at the Commonwealth Games.
Their mission: to chase away smaller unsuspecting simians who have a reputation for causing problems.
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“They are there for the monkey problem. They will be moving outside the stadiums,” said New Delhi Municipal Committee official Devender Prasad.
One Langur patrols the headquarters of the games organizing committee, while others keep the peace outside the major stadiums during the events.
(More on TIME.com: See pictures of primates on the danger list.)
The langur monkeys are definitely not “trying to be friendly.” Aggressive by nature, they are held on leash by specially trained handlers, who release them once other monkeys are seen. The smaller monkeys have a notorious history for causing havoc, riding on the city’s subway and even roaming through parliament, including an invasion of the prime ministers private chambers.
Despite the wild adventures of this troublesome bunch, they cannot be harmed — Indians consider them sacred.