Shortlist, Monkey City by Joan de la Malla

"The city of Lop Buri in Thailand is home to hundreds of macaques. The locals consider these monkeys to be disciples of the Hindu god Hanuman. In the Thai version of Ramayana (an ancient Sanskrit epic), Rama ceded this land to Hanuman, founder of the city.

The macaque population in Lop Buri is constantly growing, and this leads to an odd coexistence between man and monkey. While some people love them, others fear or even hate them. Despite the inconvenience they often cause, the macaques are generally respected and considered sacred. They seem to be aware of this situation and roam freely as true masters of the city. For the most part, everyone lives in harmony - it’s been this way for generations."