Scoop on Primates

The Associated Press reported last week that five people in possession of exotic animal body parts, including gorilla and chimpanzee heads and hands, were arrested in Gabon. The market for exotic animal body parts is varied - some parts are used in rituals, some are used as trophies, others yet are used for meat (refer to Bushmeat post December 2008 on this blog for more info). According to an article published in the Gorilla Journal in 1999 by Angela Meder , even though most people now use western medicine, some traditions are still alive.  For example, eating gorilla meat is believed to transfer the strength of the gorilla to the person consuming it; keeping dried gorilla hands is said to bring good luck. Read:  Gabon arrests 5 found with ape heads and body parts   (AP). Poachers are a reality those dedicated to the conservation of non-human primates have to contend with, however education and solutions to curb down poverty are key. There are many initia...

Monkeys and apes are vulnerable to many of the same diseases that affect humans - such as hepatitis B and C, turberculosis, infections caused by bacteria such as salmonella, parasites, cataract, arthritis, cancer to name but a few. Given the fact that populations in the wild are ever diminishing and human habitats are ever encroaching on the natural habitat of monkeys and apes, it is very important for non-profit groups operating in the field to receive all the veterinary medical help they can get. Access to veterinary supplies is crucial to help these organizations prevent epidemics not only among monkeys and apes but also to stop diseases from potentially spreading to neighboring human populations. However funds are always scarce, this is why the existence of VETS is great news to many non-profit organizations working with non-human primates. The non-profit Project VETS (Veterinary supplies) was started in 2009 by Dr Candy Sayles to help non-profit organizations worldwide. ...

There are many theories that attempt to explain the origins of cooperation in humans.  I am no expert, so I will leave that subject alone.  On the other hand, I am always encouraged when I see examples of altruism, cooperation and fairness in the "animal" world (as if humans were not animals themselves). So, for this posting, I gathered such examples of cooperation between various species of monkeys and great apes.  The end of year celebrations are soon upon us and I thought this subject would be appropriate for the season.  I wish they give you hope and a renewed commitment to protecting our planet and its many inhabitants. Capuchin Monkeys - Cooperation and Fairness Chimpanzees Cooperating for Food Chimpanzees Working Together Bonobos Cooperation Over Food Monkey Intelligence: Japanese Macaque Trick Others To Get More Grooming

On October 19, a 21 year old, 300 pound female chimpanzee named Sueko escaped from the truck she was left in by her owner, and terrorized a Kansas City neighborhood. This lady chimp who apparently lacks in manners, broke a police car windshield, laughed at people and even gave the bird to a policeman.  This was not her first brush with the law, but this may be her last. After being tranquilized she was brought to Monkey Island, where the director, Randy Wisthoff, said he  hopes to turn her back into an ape again. Should we blame the chimp for causing havoc and wanting to paint the town red while she's enjoying a moment of freedom?  Absolutely not. Her owner is to blame.  Not only is he endangering the life of humans, but also that of the very creature he adopted and loves.  However hard this may be, the best thing for Sueko would be to live in a sanctuary, where her owner can visit regularly. As most people should know, the law prohibits individuals in the...

Thank you to all who submitted their drawings to celebrate primates. All the drawings submitted are absolutely fabulous! All these drawings are winners and I had to go back and modify a little the list of prizes in order to accommodate all them. I really love the fact that all these monkeys look really happy and smile... Most detailed and true to life drawing prizes go to:   Hailey, Elana, Cynthia, Loris and Celio. Hailey's drawing depicts three of the four great apes:  chimpanzee, gorilla and orangutan.  The fourth great ape missing from this drawing is the bonobo.  I love the expression on the face of each of these great apes.  Great work Hailey! Cynthia's drawing is just exploding with colors and the monkey in the center looks like a very happy individual.  He lives in a very green and sunny environment and his eyes are just beaming.  Beautiful work, Cynthia! Elana's drawing is also very colorful.  Her monkey is happy and seems to ...

My husband and I just returned from Mexico where we spent a week in the Yucatan jungle playing with orphan spider monkeys at a sanctuary in Riviera Maya called " The Jungle Place ". The sanctuary is home to seventeen spider monkeys, all rescued and raised with love by founders Heidi and Joel.  This couple's enthusiasm and passion for spider monkeys is contagious and one cannot spend time with them without soon becoming their friends. Spider monkeys are slender with long limbs, small faces, beautiful brown or grey/blue eyes and a long and strong prehensile tail that helps them keep their balance as they move from branch to branch in the canopy of the rain forest where they live.  Their coarse fur varies in color from gold brown to red to dark brown or black.  Some have a white patch on their belly.  They have four fingers on their hands (the thumb is just a tiny stump) but they do have a thumb on their feet.  Males and females do not differ much in size (a...

School teachers!  Help us raise awareness on the plight of the great apes & monkey species endangered due to poaching, deforestation & illegal pet trade. Contest open to: children 5 to 10 years of age Dates: September 1 through September 30 1 st Prize: Framed Bee picture 2 nd Prize: Plush monkey 3 rd Prize: Book Rules :  Drawings must be 8.5 x 11 in size and r epresent a monkey or great ape . Indicate child’s first name, age at bottom of drawing. Indicate name and address of school also at bottom of drawing. The best 10 submitted drawings will be featured on the SCOOPONPRIMATES blog. Prizes will be awarded on October 15 and sent to the school teacher. Email your drawing to: sylnande@ymail.com