Monkey See, Monkey Chew

'Slim Jim'  (Photo by Shantanu Kuveskar)

Bad habits are easily transmitted.  Some are so contagious that monkeys can “catch” them from humans.

Thus it is with junk foods.  A wild macaque in Thailand, sarcastically nicknamed “Uncle Fat,” picked up a junk-food habit from well-meaning tourists.  When snacks and soft drinks

were left behind, Uncle Fat and his pack would happily clean up.

Ringleader “Uncle” would have his minions bring him the food,  He would eat himself silly, but also redistribute some to the younger monkeys.  Normal weight for a macaque is about 20 pounds.  Uncle Fat tipped the scales at 60.

It got so bad that wildlife officials interceded.  They captured Uncle Fat and placed him “on a strict diet of lean protein, fruits and vegetables.”  Veterinarian Supakarn Kaewchot said that Uncle is “in critical condition where there is a high risk of heart disease and diabetes.”

The goal is to get Uncle back in shape, then release him.  Hopefully, this cycle won’t repeat as frequently as it does with humans.  

Resources

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/thailands-chunky-monkey-on-diet-after-gorging-on-junk-food/2017/05/19/866025b2-3c67-11e7-a59b-26e0451a96fd_story.html?utm_term=.22307a1c68b9

Copyright May 20, 2017 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved