A Moment Of Monk Monkey Zen...

A South Korean young monk feeds to a golden snub-nosed monkey at the Everland Amusement Park in Yongin, south of Seoul, South Korea, Friday, May 9, 2008. Young monks attend this event to celebrate the upcoming birthday of Buddha on May 12.


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Psychological Stress Linked To Overeating, Monkey Study Shows

Researchers at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, have found socially subordinate female rhesus macaques over consume calorie-rich foods at a significantly higher level than do dominant females.

The study, which is available in the online edition of Physiology and Behavior, is a critical step in understanding the psychological basis for the sharp increase in obesity across all age groups since the mid-1970s. The study also is the first to show how food intake can be reliably and automatically measured, thus identifying the optimal animal model and setting for future obesity studies.

Because the relationship between diet, psychological stress and social and environmental factors is complex, Mark Wilson, PhD, chief of the Division of Psychobiology at Yerkes, and his research team set out to determine whether individuals chronically exposed to psychologically stressful environments over consume calorie-rich foods. To do this, they studied the feeding patterns of socially housed female rhesus macaques, which are organized by a dominance hierarchy that maintains group stability through continual harassment and threat of aggression. Such structure is a constant psychological stress to subordinates.

During the study, female macaques were given access to a sweet but low-fat diet and a high-fat diet for 21 days each. For a 21-day period between each test diet, the group was able to access standard monkey chow only. To track feeding patterns, automated feeders dispensed a pellet of either the low-fat or high-fat chow when activated by a microchip implanted in each female's wrist. Researchers found socially subordinate females consumed significantly more of both the low-fat diet and the high-fat diet throughout a 24-hour period, while socially dominant females ate significantly less than subordinate animals and restricted their feedings to daytime hours.

This difference in feeding behavior resulted in accelerated weight gain and an increase in fat-derived hormones in subordinate females. Dr. Wilson believes this may suggest profound changes in metabolism and the accumulation of body fat.

"Subordinates may be on a trajectory for metabolic problems. As this study shows, they prefer the high-fat diet and, as a result of the stress of being a subordinate, they have higher levels of the hormone cortisol. This may be involved in the redistribution of fat to visceral locations in the body, something that is clinically associated with type II diabetes metabolic syndrome," continued Dr. Wilson.

Using Yerkes' extensive neuroimaging capabilities, Dr. Wilson and his research team next will attempt to determine the neurochemical basis for why subordinate females overeat; specifically, whether appetite signals and brain areas associated with reward and satisfaction differ between subordinate and dominant females.


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A Moment Of Monkey Waiter Zen...

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Jocko's Memorial Held At Zoo, Mia Still Missing

Staff and animal lovers at the Greater Vancouver Zoo said goodbye to Jocko, the spider monkey who was killed when thieves broke into his cage, in an emotional memorial service yesterday.

Children’s drawings that read “I’m sorry about your monkey” lined the empty cage and flowers were left in bunches on the ground.

Jocko died of a fractured skull and his mate, Mia, was kidnapped when someone broke into their cage with bolt cutters.

Jody Henderson, marketing and promotions manager for the zoo, said Jocko was very social and loving. His death has been tough on staff.

“There’s a deafening silence around the zoo now,” she said, breaking down in tears. “We all notice it and it’s because there’s somebody missing — our dear friend Jocko and his mate Mia.

“Each day I parked my car at the front of the zoo he was out chirping and greeting me. We will miss you forever, Jocko.”

Menita Prasad, an animal care keeper at the zoo, said Jocko recognized his keepers from 10 metres away and called out to them.

“He loved his toys and he loved looking through his kaleidoscope. When the keepers were in there cleaning out his enclosure he loved stealing tools,” she said, crying.

“I just can’t believe we’re never going to hear them call to us ever again.”

Staff also appealed to whomever took Mia to bring her home. The zoo will match public donations up to $3,000 as a reward for information leading to her safe return.



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Jocko Suffered Skull Fracture During Break-in

A spider monkey that died following a break-in at the Greater Vancouver Zoo suffered a fracture to his skull, according to a preliminary necropsy.

Jody Henderson, a spokesperson for the zoo, said the results showed the monkey suffered internal hemorrhaging on the right side of his skull.

The monkey, called Jocko, was discovered dead on Wednesday morning by zoo keeper Cindy Hulst.

The culprits, who apparently used bolt cutters to break through the cage, also kidnapped Jocko's mate, Mia.

Henderson said the cutters may have been used to kill Jocko.

"Or he could have been thrown against the tree or tree house that's inside the enclosure," she told CTV's Canada AM on Thursday.

Henderson said she can't think of any motivation for the break-in.

"It just doesn't make sense," she said.

Meanwhile, zoo officials are hoping to get Mia back in their custody.

"The average person doesn't have a clue how to take care of an exotic monkey," said Henderson.

She also said Mia could be a danger to the public since she is traumatized and will likely be in a fighting mood.

Cpl. Peter Thiessen, a spokesperson for Langley RCMP, said the monkeys are valued at $5,000 each.

"Certainly it's not so much their value but clearly they're members of the family here," said Thiessen.

He said perhaps the thief wanted to sell the monkey on the black market or keep it as a personal pet.

Jocko and Mia have been residents at the zoo for about 15 years.


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Jenny, Oldest Gorilla In Captivity, Turns 55 At Dallas Zoo

A gorilla recognized as the world's oldest in captivity celebrated her 55th birthday by munching down a four-layer frozen fruit cake and banana leaf wrapped treats.

Jenny's caretakers at the Dallas Zoo say she's having a few joint issues and her eyesight isn't what it used to be but she still looks good for an old ape.

"It's a special milestone for us," said Todd Bowsher, curator of the zoo's Wilds of Africa exhibit. "It signifies that we've made great strides in veterinary care, nutrition and animal husbandry."

The International Species Information System, which maintains records on animals at 700 institutions around the world, said Jenny is the oldest gorilla in its database.

"I think it's amazing," said Kristen Lukas, curator of conservation and science at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in Ohio and the gorilla species survival plan coordinator for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. "I think it's a testament to the good care that she's received at the Dallas Zoo and also the resilience of gorillas in general."

Lukas said gorillas in the wild normally would live to age 30 or 35. Health care and protection from predators has extended the lifespan in zoos.

Of the roughly 360 gorillas in North American zoos, only four are over the age of 50. All of them are female. In addition to Jenny, Lukas noted Trudy at the Little Rock Zoo in Arkansas, Colo at the Columbus Zoo in Ohio and Helen at the Louisville Zoo in Kentucky.

Jenny gave birth in 1965 to a female named Vicki, who was sent to Alberta, Canada, at age 5. Zoo officials don't know any more about Vicki. They aren't sure why Jenny hasn't conceived again.

Jenny's keepers describe her as very sweet though a little bossy.

"If she doesn't want to go out on a certain day, she doesn't," Bowsher said. "But she really likes people."

There were plenty of them at the Jake L. Hamon Gorilla Conservation Research Center Thursday, chowing down on giant sheets of chocolate and vanilla birthday cake as they peered at Jenny through the glass.

When keepers set out Jenny's berry-topped frozen cake in a forested clearing, she slowly approached. She scooped up the fruity treat with her right hand, dug into the middle of it with her left then sat down to savor the tasty yogurt-covered remains.

At one point she stood, turned her backside to the phalanx of photographers and cameramen then lumbered off to enjoy her meal in peace. She wasn't about to share with her primate peers.

"It's pretty amazing that the zoo where we live has the oldest gorilla that's known," said 8-year-old Ben Deming as he stared at Jenny.

Born in the wild of western central Africa in 1953, the exact date of her birth is unknown. Jenny lived with a family on the Cape Verde islands before the Dallas Zoo acquired her in 1957.

"I remember the day she arrived," said Nancy Hamon, 89, of Dallas, whose family bought the gorilla for the zoo and continues to be among its strongest supporters.

Jenny, a 213-pound Western lowland gorilla, is one of four gorillas at the zoo.

"It's a good time for the zoo," said Sean Greene, director of Community Relations for the Dallas Zoological Society.

He said the upbeat birthday party was a welcome contrast to the tragedy that occurred in 2004 when another gorilla, 13-year-old Jabari, broke out of his enclosure. The 300-pound ape went on a 40-minute rampage in which he snatched up a toddler with his teeth and attacked three other people before officers shot him.

So to what does Jenny attribute her longevity? She's not saying. But her vegetarian diet couldn't hurt: seeds, cereal and one of her favorites, banana peels.


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Escaped Chimp Trashes Bar In Spain

One of two chimpanzees - mother and daughter - that escaped from the Oasis zoo in La Orotava (Tenerife) yesterday lunchtime went on to wreak havoc in the Los Rechazos bar nearby until it was recaptured after more than two hours by Guardia Civil officers.

Around twenty lunchtime customers were shocked when the chimp entered the bar at around 2pm - immediately running off into the kitchen where it burned itself before cutting its leg on a stainless steel shelving unit that was totally destroyed.

Resisting all attempts to restrain it, the startled creature continued on its destructive path, causing further damage, including a broken TV set.

The other chimp was quickly rounded up after officers spotted it on a roof terrace.


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Spider Monkey Killed And One Missing From Vancouver Zoo Break-In

Jocko and Mia had been together for 15 years when someone brutally ended their love affair.

Staff at the Greater Vancouver Zoo were devastated Wednesday to find Jocko, a 17-year-old male spider monkey, lying dead inside the enclosure he shared with his longtime companion, Mia.

Mia, meanwhile, was nowhere to be found. The 17-year-old female monkey with the bright blue eyes is presumed to have been stolen during an overnight break-in.

“We’re pretty much a wreck,” said zoo representative Jody Henderson of the mood at the facility Wednesday.

“They are our children, there is no doubt about it.”

The break-in is believed to have occurred sometime between 9 p.m. Tuesday and 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, when the primate zoo keeper made the grim discovery.

Henderson said it’s not clear how anyone got onto the zoo grounds, but added it appears the suspect or suspects headed directly to the primate cage.

Bolt cutters were used to cut a hole through the chainlink fence surrounding the monkeys’ outdoor enclosure.

The matter has been turned over to Langley RCMP, who continue to hunt for suspects in the case.

Cpl. Peter Thiessen said the motive for the break-in is unclear, but speculated the 20-pound female monkey may have been stolen as a pet or to be sold on the black market.

“This is a significant theft,” he said.

Spider monkeys — a threatened species native to South America — are worth about $5,000 each.

Henderson said neither Mia nor Jocko — who were born in captivity and acquired from an Ontario zoo — have been directly handled by their keepers, and are considered wild.

“Any kind of handling would have been done through the fence. As with all the animals here at the zoo, we try to keep the situation natural, as much as you can for a captive environment,” she said.

Spider monkeys are considered among the most intelligent of their species, and, though small in stature, are incredibly agile and fierce when protecting their young or mates.

That protective instinct may have led to Jocko’s death, said Henderson.

“If anybody came in that enclosure, there would definitely have been some form of aggression,” she said.

Thiessen said whoever broke into the monkey pen may have sustained scratches and cuts.

The cause of Jocko’s death is not yet known, and there were no overt signs of trauma to the body.

A necropsy has been scheduled for as soon as possible to help provide answers, said Henderson.

As for Mia’s fate, Henderson said staff remain extremely concerned.

Monkeys require specialized care, diet and activities to thrive, she said.

“You need to be educated in what you’re doing . . . the average person just wouldn’t have a clue what to do.”

Mia is described as having dark brown fur, with a light blond chest and steel-blue eyes. She is about a half-metre tall with a very long tail.

Henderson said anyone who spots Mia should call the zoo and not approach her because she has very sharp teeth and could attack because she is traumatized.


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Monkey Picked Coffee Arrives At Vancouver Coffee Roasters

Vancouver's 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters have enlisted the aid of some unlikely workers in Southern India to help harvest the best coffee beans -- rhesus macaque monkeys.

The coffee critters, who work for peanuts, pick only the few sweetest beans from each plant, which they then store in their mouths for several hours while sucking on the "cherry" fruit before spitting out the inner bean.

A worker then collects the spat-out beans and they are cleaned and roasted, making his job slightly better than the person whose job it is to collect the Kopi Luwak -- Sumatran beans harvested from the droppings of civet cats.

"The wild monkeys seek out the sweetest cherries," president Vince

Piccolo explained yesterday after returning from a coffee conference in Minneapolis, Minn.

"It is like us eating an apricot and spitting out the pit. I find the coffee to be extremely sweet with low acidity."

Only four or five sacks of the masticated beans called Indian SL 795 Devon Estates Arabica were produced and Piccolo got his hands on three of them, which he plans to serve as single-origin espresso and not blended with anything else.

The SL 795 will be available in the company's Kitsilano store at 2152 West 4th Ave. beginning tomorrow.

"It is only in limited amounts," said Piccolo. "This is a unique discovery and we want out customers to have great coffee."

Piccolo expects the 12-ounce bags, which sell for $25, to sell out quickly.


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Rare Rhesus Twins Born At Safari Park

A Rhesus monkey has given birth to twins at Longleat Safari Park, near Warminster.

Multiple births are extremely rare in primates and these are believed to be the first twins born at the Park.

Initially keepers thought the mother may simply have 'borrowed' one of the babies from another female but they're now convinced that both are hers.

Deputy head warden Ian Turner said: "In the past we have occasionally had instances where a baby has been picked up by another female - often an older sister - for a short period of time.

"However in this case she has been clearly seen suckling both babies over a period of weeks so we're as certain as we can be that they are twins.

"We're obviously keeping a very close eye on how they're all doing but at the moment she's coping well.

"Her major issues are getting around and, particularly, climbing trees. With a baby on both arms she's had to resort to shuffling but we're ensuring that she doesn't have to travel far to get her food and both of the youngsters appear fit and well," he added.

Rhesus monkeys have given their name to the rhesus antigens found in their blood in 1940, which has enabled doctors to determine different blood groups in humans.

Found throughout south east Asia and across the Indian subcontinent rhesus monkeys thrive in a wide variety of habitats and climates.

In some parts of India they are believed to be sacred with the result that they have lived in close contact with humans for countless centuries - particularly in and around Buddhist and Hindu temples.

Rhesus monkeys are extremely intelligent, naturally inquisitive animals which can learn to manipulate simple tools and distinguish colours and shapes.


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