Watch Dark Days in Monkey City

Dark Days in Monkey City is an Animal Planet documentary series that premiered in 2009. The show was narrated by the illustrious actor, John Rhys-Davies, of The Lord of the Rings and Indiana Jones fame. The series contains a total of 20 episodes, with each episode running for approximately 45 minutes.

Dark Days in Monkey City takes an in-depth look at the lives of various species of monkeys living in the urban areas of Sri Lanka. The show explores the complex social hierarchies, the hardships, the romance, the violence, and the politics of the monkey world.

The show starts with an introduction to the main cast of monkeys. The protagonist of the series is Raja, the alpha male of the Toque macaque clan. Raja is a fierce leader who has to defend his territory and his clan from rival macaque clans and other animals such as domestic dogs and feral cats. Raja has a harem of female monkeys and is constantly on the lookout for new females to add to his collection.

The supporting cast includes other members of the Toque macaque clan such as Mani, Jaya and Kala. Mani is Raja's most trusted lieutenant and the second-in-command. Jaya is a male monkey who has been kicked out of his clan and is looking for a new one to join. Kala is a female monkey who is looking for a mate and is trying hard to capture Raja's attention.

The Toque macaque clan is not the only monkey group featured in the show. There are also other monkey species such as the Grey langur and the Bonnet macaque, as well as various other animals, including stray dogs and cats. The interactions between these different animals, especially between the monkeys and the dogs, create some of the most intense and heart-wrenching moments of the show.

The show goes into great detail about the monkeys' daily lives. It shows how they form alliances, how they communicate, how they groom each other, how they find food and water, and how they raise their young. It also shows the darker side of their nature, such as how they fight for dominance, how they steal from each other, and how they violently punish those who disobey their laws.

One of the most interesting aspects of Dark Days in Monkey City is how it portrays the monkeys' political system. The show reveals that the monkey world is not just a simple hierarchy based on physical strength, but rather a complex web of alliances and favors. The show explores how the monkeys use grooming and other social behaviors to form alliances and gain power within their respective clans. It also shows how the monkeys' rivalries and conflicts can lead to full-blown wars between different clans.

Overall, Dark Days in Monkey City is a fascinating and immersive look into the lives of urban monkeys. The show provides a unique perspective on an often-overlooked group of animals and offers insights into their social, emotional, and cognitive lives. With John Rhys-Davies' masterful narration and beautiful cinematography, the show is both informative and entertaining. It is a must-see for anyone interested in animal behavior or wildlife documentaries.

Dark Days in Monkey City is a series that ran for 1 seasons (13 episodes) between February 24, 2009 and on Animal Planet