'Monkey king' pledges his life to macaques' welfare

Hundreds of vehicles pass by Lantsal village every day, but only the sound of Tobgyal's pickup truck triggers uproar on a nearby mountain.

As the vehicle approaches, the leaves of trees on the mountain rustle and branches shake as dozens, even hundreds, of Tibetan macaque monkeys make their way down the hill to welcome the 68-year-old, nicknamed the "Monkey King" by fellow residents of Kongpo'gyada county, the Tibet autonomous region.

Tobgyal's attachment to the monkeys started when he worked as a ranger about 30 years ago. Every time he patrolled the forest, he carried food to share with the monkeys he met. He quickly began playing with them as well.