also: さるがい
noun
monkey damage; crop damage by monkeys
Refers to damage caused by monkeys, especially to agricultural crops. Often used in contexts of wildlife management and rural farming.
この地域では猿害が深刻な問題になっている。
Monkey damage has become a serious problem in this area.
農家は猿害を防ぐためにネットを張った。
The farmer put up nets to prevent monkey damage.
Irregular kun'yomi-based reading; less common but encountered.
Compound of 猿 (monkey) and 害 (damage, harm). The reading えんがい uses the on'yomi of both characters, while さるがい uses the kun'yomi for 猿 and on'yomi for 害.