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  Topic: Rhesus monkeys smarter than farmers, and trappers, and scientists, apparently< Next Oldest | Next Newest >  
Lou FCD



Posts: 5455
Joined: Jan. 2006

(Permalink) Posted: June 13 2007,18:37   

Descendants of research monkeys are on the loose in Puerto Rico and are eluding capture by farmers, trappers, and scientists.

 
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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- Authorities in Puerto Rico are using cages and mangos to try to trap hundreds of marauding monkeys - descendants of escaped research animals - and hope to send them off to sanctuaries or labs, or to kill them.

Since the first eight government traps were set out two weeks ago, the primates have snatched the bait and eluded capture - drawing ridicule from local farmers who blame the monkeys for devastating melon, pepper and pumpkin crops over the last decade.


Some more from the article that I found interesting...

 
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The Rhesus monkeys, native to Pakistan India and Nepal, and lightning-quick red monkeys from Central Africa were brought to this Caribbean island 30 years ago to be part of scientific experiments.

Their feral population has since ballooned from about 100 to an estimated 1,000 - prompting growers in the southwestern town of Lajas to switch to raising hay, which the animals do not eat, said Georgie Ferrer, leader of the local farmers' organization.

Ferrer also said the animals threaten bird populations by eating eggs, and some carry the Herpes B virus, which can be fatal to humans. Fears that they could transmit the disease intensified after a farmer bitten two years ago in Lajas died of unknown causes, he said.


So um... one cannot help but wonder what he was doing when he got bitten... if indeed he was bitten.  How likely is that that he got his "unknown causes" from a bite, as opposed to the uh.. regular.. way?

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“Why do creationists have such a hard time with commas?

Linky“. ~ Steve Story, Legend

   
Ichthyic



Posts: 3325
Joined: May 2006

(Permalink) Posted: June 13 2007,19:11   

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So um... one cannot help but wonder what he was doing when he got bitten


actually, I'm more wondering what will happen 28 days later...

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"And the sea will grant each man new hope..."

-CC

  
Lou FCD



Posts: 5455
Joined: Jan. 2006

(Permalink) Posted: June 13 2007,19:29   

I hear you have to watch out 28 weeks later, as well.

--------------
“Why do creationists have such a hard time with commas?

Linky“. ~ Steve Story, Legend

   
Ichthyic



Posts: 3325
Joined: May 2006

(Permalink) Posted: June 13 2007,19:33   

yup.

damn pesky zombies.

--------------
"And the sea will grant each man new hope..."

-CC

  
  3 replies since June 13 2007,18:37 < Next Oldest | Next Newest >  

    


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