News
Tourists asked to help chunky monkey situation
12 May 2008
A wildlife park in Japan is pleading with its visitors to stop feeding a troupe of monkeys after some of the animals became so obese it prevented them from walking around their enclosure.
Ohama park outside Osaka is home to 50 Macaca mulatta monkeys, which are regularly fed crisps, bread and sweets by visitors.
In the wild, the animals ordinarily weigh up to 11kg, but the heaviest monkey at Ohama tips the scales at over 29kg.
Park officials said that this male troupe leader can barely walk and simply waits inside the enclosure for the next handout.
A special low-fat diet has been created for the monkeys but it is thought that this is being rendered redundant by tourists continuing to throw food to the animals.
Signs asking visitors to refrain from feeding the monkeys are being ignored up to 20 times a day, according to officials, and high fences may have to be built to protect the creatures' health.
Opodo cheap flights and hotels - let the journey begin!
Ohama park outside Osaka is home to 50 Macaca mulatta monkeys, which are regularly fed crisps, bread and sweets by visitors.
In the wild, the animals ordinarily weigh up to 11kg, but the heaviest monkey at Ohama tips the scales at over 29kg.
Park officials said that this male troupe leader can barely walk and simply waits inside the enclosure for the next handout.
A special low-fat diet has been created for the monkeys but it is thought that this is being rendered redundant by tourists continuing to throw food to the animals.
Signs asking visitors to refrain from feeding the monkeys are being ignored up to 20 times a day, according to officials, and high fences may have to be built to protect the creatures' health.
Opodo cheap flights and hotels - let the journey begin!
 |  |
Related stories
15 July 2008
- Aussie park to offer croc encounters >
08 July 2008
- Daredevil doggies hang ten in San Diego >
26 June 2008
- Chinese restaurants change bizarre meal names >
20 June 2008
- BA carries unusual passenger to London museum >
19 June 2008
- Arguments 'more of a concern than credit crunch' >
18 June 2008
- Delhi airport hosts unexpected visitors >
- Aussie park to offer croc encounters >
08 July 2008
- Daredevil doggies hang ten in San Diego >
26 June 2008
- Chinese restaurants change bizarre meal names >
20 June 2008
- BA carries unusual passenger to London museum >
19 June 2008
- Arguments 'more of a concern than credit crunch' >
18 June 2008
- Delhi airport hosts unexpected visitors >
Latest news
18 July 2008
- Italy, Greece top of 'family-friendly' chart >
- Aito warns of effect of visa restrictions >
- US welcomes more visitors in April >
- Singapore to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival >
- Travellers 'downgrading rather than dropping holidays' >
17 July 2008
- FCO launches new tool for gap-year travellers >
- Italy, Greece top of 'family-friendly' chart >
- Aito warns of effect of visa restrictions >
- US welcomes more visitors in April >
- Singapore to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival >
- Travellers 'downgrading rather than dropping holidays' >
17 July 2008
- FCO launches new tool for gap-year travellers >
