Taita residents have lamented over excessive destruction of their crops by monkeys which they allege have been translocated in the region by some researchers for biodiversity and ecological studies. Wundanyi constituency residents fear the destruction pose a threat to food security in the region. For the past six months, the residents have lamented over some monkeys with strange behavioral habits not witnessed in the area before.

The areas most affected are Sungululu, Mwalenyi, Mteni, Shigharo, Ndonga, Mlechi and Kitukunyi villages. Crops most targeted by the monkeys are cassavas, beans, bananas, Cow peas, maize, guavas, mangoes among other fruits. However, KWS has denied the claims by the local farmers that the animals were translocated from protected areas to community land for research purposes. The residents also claim that pythons and elephants have been introduced in the region.