Monkey Thieves

MONKEY THIEVES

DESCRIPTION

Revered as descendents of the Hindu monkey God, the rhesus macaques of Jaipur, India, enjoy a highly privileged status. But, when monsoon rains are delayed by weeks, the monkeys must abandon their cushy lifestyle in a beautiful Hindu Temple for the streets of Jaipur.

While a maze of back streets and rooftop labyrinths make Jaipur the ultimate urban jungle, cars, electric wires and one determined monkey catcher make this a dangerous place for the 60-member Galta gang.

In this new 13-part series, the Galta gang ventures outside their peaceful temple lifestyle into the hectic streets of one of the fastest growing cities in the world. With no drought relief in sight, the monkeys must exploit every advantage they have to survive, whether it is sneaking through open windows or swiping fruit from an unattended grocery cart.

Rowdy teenagers Bipin, Yash and Tito are an inseparable trio, diving off lamp-posts into a trough full of dirty water, playing rodeo on the backs of the city’s pig population and teasing the stray street dogs. But while the youngsters explore their new playground, alpha male Tarak has the weight of the troop’s survival on his shoulders. Leading the group into Jaipur everyday in search of food is risky.

The situation is even worse for other Galta members when, on patrol for food, Yash, Tito and several other Galta members are snared in a trap and deposited 16 kilometres outside the city. These monkeys are used to dodging taxis and tuk-tuks, not leopards and pythons, and they are uncertain about their new environment. Meanwhile, a young Galta named Kavi pays the price for his risky high-wire act along the power lines, suffering a huge electric shock. Taken to a local animal sanctuary, Kavi’s condition is critical as doctors work hard to save him.

Will the monsoons provide much relief and social stability for the Galta gang? Can Yash, Tito and the others find their way through the jungle and back to Jaipur? Find out in Monkey Thieves.

EPISODE GUIDE

Monkey Thieves: Divided We Stand

Friction emerges amongst Jaipur's Galtar Gang when the slumping economy leads to a drop in the amount of food on offer at the temple.
Monkey Thieves: Hard Times

The Galta Gang members consider their futures when it's clear that the temple can no longer accommodate all of their daily needs.
Monkey Thieves: Searching for Sanctuary

Rani and the Galta Gang hierarchy continue to capitalise on temple handouts, while the splinter group exiles hunt for a new base in the suburbs.
Monkey Thieves: Urban Exile

A baby monkey is injured after tension erupts within the Galta elite. Meanwhile, the splinter group hunts for food in Jaipur city centre.
Monkey Thieves: Street Life

The remaining Galta Gang members are forced to leave the temple in order to find food. Meanwhile, the exiles are finding street life a breeze.
Monkey Thieves: Home Hunters

Queen Rani and the Galta Gang face the harsh reality of life on the streets after being ousted from their temple home by langur monkeys.
Monkey Thieves: Beggar's Banquet

The Galta Gang pulls off a house burglary but the tension on the streets escalates as the ever-increasing monkey catchers close in.
Monkey Thieves: Cops And Robbers

The Galta Gang lives dangerously, with Binita stealing a policeman's radio and Esha ruining a tailor's day when she runs off with his turbans.
Monkey Thieves: Missing In Action

The Galta Gang's arch enemy Zamir returns. Meanwhile, Kamal has a point to prove to Queen Rani, and lost Teejay searches for his mum in vain.
Monkey Thieves: Drug Raid

Kamal makes a last-ditch bid to salvage his reputation. Elsewhere, there's a race against time to save Teejay, the victim of an electric shock.
Monkey Thieves: Colour And Calamity

Queen Rani suffers a torrid time on the streets of Jaipur and feels isolated without the captured Kamal and missing baby son Teejay.
Monkey Thieves: An Unlikely Hero

Yash and Tito strike gold when they enjoy a free journey back to Jaipur on board a truck. Even better, it's packed with delicious food.
Monkey Thieves: Deliverance

Bippin, Yash and Tito reunite with the rest of the Galta Gang exiles and search for a new home. Top of the list is Jaipur's ancient observatory.
Monkey Thieves: The Observatory Ambush

Bippin, Yash and Tito reunite with the rest of the Galta Gang exiles and search for a new home. Top of the list is Jaipur's ancient observatory.