Unraveling the Mystery of the Monkey Man
Key Points
“The Curse of the Monkey Man” is the sixteenth episode of the third season of MonsterQuest. This episode dives into the chilling reports of a creature known as the “Monkey Man.” This half-man, half-beast has caused widespread panic in New Delhi, India. Authorities launched a massive search to find this elusive creature. The episode also explores the Garo Hills, searching for evidence of another mysterious primate, the Mande Barung.
The Plot
The episode begins by introducing the Monkey Man, a frightening creature that attacks towns and harms people. At one point, it went on a violent rampage, leaving chaos in its wake.
One of the most gripping accounts is from Noor Jehan. She was tending to her garden when she was suddenly attacked by this “terrifying ape man.” The attack left her unconscious, and she had to be rushed to the hospital.
Nelbison Sangma, a former crime commissioner, shares the horror the Monkey Man brought to the city. Thousands of police patrolled the streets, and mobs formed, trying to hunt down the creature. S.K. Verma, a dermatologist, suggests that the panic may have been a case of mass hysteria rather than a real creature.
Investigation
The MonsterQuest team, led by primatologist Esteban Sarmiento, travels to Delhi to investigate. Esteban believes that some prehistoric apes may have survived in the region. He interviews Ravinder Singh, who recounts his terrifying encounter with the Monkey Man. Another witness, Raisuddin, still bears the scars from his attack.
The episode also revisits a 17th-century account of a Monkey Man sighting. Local laborers discovered two “Monkey Men” nearly starved to death while returning from work on Henry Piddington’s plantation in Jharkhand. The laborers captured the creatures and brought them to Piddington, who was knowledgeable about primates. He planned to send them to Calcutta for further study, but they mysteriously escaped one night.
Into the Forest
The team prepares to trek into the forest with the help of local guide Anirban Datta-Roy. Dipu Marak, who has been studying the Monkey Man, shows Esteban photographs of footprints. After examining the footprints, nests, and signs of damage, Esteban concludes that the Monkey Man is not a known animal.
Esteban sets up camera traps and interviews Nelbison Sangma, another witness. He collects hair samples believed to be from the Monkey Man. These samples are sent to Marna Ericson for analysis. Marna is intrigued, noting that she has never seen hair like it before.
Rosna Marak shares her terrifying encounter with Esteban. She describes how the creature broke into her home, stared at her, and then lashed out. It had a strong smell of blood, and blood dripped from its mouth before it eventually left. Esteban collects a blood sample left behind.
Discoveries and Surprises
On their way back, the team stumbles upon a large cave. Marna completes her initial analysis of the hair samples and prepares for further testing. She expresses excitement, believing they may have discovered a new species. However, she later speculates that the hair could belong to a red panda.
When the team retrieves the camera traps, they find one captured an image of an unidentified animal’s rear. This adds to the mystery surrounding the Monkey Man.
Conclusion
“The Curse of the Monkey Man” leaves viewers with more questions than answers. The episode highlights the fear and chaos caused by this creature while exploring the possibility of undiscovered primates in India. The stories shared by witnesses paint a vivid picture of the terror experienced by those who encountered the Monkey Man.
As the investigation continues, the search for the truth behind the Monkey Man and the Mande Barung remains ongoing. Will we ever uncover the secrets of these mysterious creatures? Only time will tell.
