This 76-year-old former police officer from Tamil Nadu has been feeding monkeys from her pension for over a decade

Malathi, a 76-year-old retired police officer from Tamil Nadu's Madurai, is earning a lot of praise online for feeding monkeys. She has been using a significant portion of her pension to feed hundreds of monkeys around the Tirupparankundram region in Tamil Nadu for nearly a decade, reports news agency ANI.

ALSO READ: Ketan Agarwal Lohagad Fort Pune death

From police service to a life of compassion

Malathi’s journey of public service didn’t begin with animals. Before retiring in 2010, she served for 33 years in the Tamil Nadu Police Department. She also worked as the Director of Physical Education at Gandhigram University and taught at an international school in Kodaikanal.

After retirement, however, her path took an unexpected turn—one that would later make her known across the Tirupparankundram area for her dedication to wildlife care.


ALSO READ: Lost for 700 years, one of the Seven Wonders is emerging from the sea again

How the monkey feeding mission began in 2015

Speaking to ANI, Malathi explained how her initiative started after noticing the growing monkey population near the Tirupparankundram Murugan Temple and surrounding forested areas.



“These monkeys live in forested and hilly regions and struggle daily to find food. Around 2015, I noticed the large monkey population in and around Tirupparankundram Murugan Temple and decided to help them. Since then, I have been feeding them regularly. For many years, I visited the area every day. However, I am now 76 years old, and due to health issues, walking long distances has become difficult. Even so, I continue my service every Saturday,” she said.

400 monkeys gather every Saturday

Every week, Malathi visits six different locations across Tirupparankundram, including Saravana Poigai, Palchunaikanda Subramaniam Temple, Mayil Thoppu (Peacock Grove), and the Fort area.

According to her, nearly 350 to 400 monkeys gather at these spots every Saturday at around 3:30 p.m. when she calls them.

"There are approximately 350 to 400 monkeys across these locations. Every Saturday at around 3:30 p.m., when I call them, they gather for food. At some places, nearly 50 monkeys come at once. Around the Cave Temple, there are about 150 monkeys, while Peacock Grove is home to nearly 200 monkeys," she said.

She added that monkeys of all ages—infants, juveniles, and adults—gather eagerly for the food she provides.

A bond built on trust and routine

Over the years, Malathi has built a unique bond with the animals she feeds. What began as an act of kindness has now become a deeply rooted routine that the monkeys seem to recognize and wait for each week.

For her, it is not just about feeding animals—it is about trust, continuity, and emotional connection formed over years of consistent care.

“Serving these animals gives me immense happiness”

Despite her age and health challenges, Malathi says the experience continues to give her purpose and peace.

“Serving these animals gives me immense happiness and deep mental satisfaction. Their trust and affection bring great meaning to my life. As long as I am physically able, I will continue this mission. It is my sincere wish to carry on this service until the very end of my life,” she said.

(With ANI inputs)