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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / February 2004Of Men and Monkeys
Ok, it seems that Dennis has a monkey now. I was just informed this morning when Dennis phoned me from Burma to wish me a Happy Anniversary. (It is a sheer miracle that the phones there worked today, usually we never get through in 6 weeks. But to make up for it, the satellite internet isn't working!) Anyway, what happened was this. While Dennis was away for his time off, the other guys there went exploring in the town and found this big house with all these cages with various animals in them. Mainly various monkeys and a few sun bears. They were pretty pissed off about how the animals were living in these tiny cages so they went up to the house to check it out. The people didn't seem too concerned about the fact that the 3 crazy westerners were concerned about the animals but offered to give them one of the monkeys to take home, a cute little 3 month old gibbon (aren't they endangered???). So they took the gibbon back to the crew house and built it a large cage with a swing in it on the balcony. The monkey stays in the cage at night and during the day he has free reign of the large patio. They called the monkey Brian, after the manager of operations of the company they all work for...LOL! Anyway, Brian has bonded with this older guy Bill. But Bill's tour is over in another week or so and he's going home to Canada for 6 weeks and might not be coming back. There is another guy, Gary, but he's going home in 2 weeks. Since Dennis just got there, he was elected to become the monkey's new daddy. They are trying to get the monkey to bond with Dennis. I guess the monkey will probably end up bonding with everybody who rotates through that base. I guess it's a better life than being stuck in a tiny cage all day. Too bad they can't just release it into the wild, but it would probably not fare too well on it's own. I wish they could rescue more of the animals in the cages, but they already have a couple of rescued street dogs too and there's only so much they can do. I wonder what Vino will say when Dennis comes home at the end of March smelling like monkey? I already warned Dennis he better not start loving the monkey more than Vino! ;-) When the internet there is fixed, I'll see if I can get Dennis to send me a picture of him with the monkey. -- Britta Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > Ok, it seems that Dennis has a monkey now. Reminds me of our neighbors in Bangkok. I think it was a... what are those organ-grinder monkeys? They are small and chatter a lot. My mind escapes me! Anyway, they had a pet monkey that escaped up into the tree that hung over our fence. The man climbed the tree trying to catch the monkey and wound up falling out of the tree and breaking his leg. I don't remember what happened to the monkey... it probably laughed and then went back to the patio of their house :) Jill If the guys want expert advice on rescue, rehoming and possible rehabilitation into the wild or into a specialist rescue centre - have a look at http://www.monkeyworld.co.uk/main.php The people there rescue primates from conditions you describe and illegal trade in primates all over the world. There's already rescued gibbons at the Monkey World Rescue Centre. Cheers, helen s --This is an invalid email address to avoid spam-- to get correct one remove dependency on fame & fortune h*$el*$$e**nd***$o$ts***i*$*$m**m$$o*n**s@$*$a$$o**l.c**$*$om$$ > If the guys want expert advice on rescue, rehoming and possible rehabilitation > into the wild or into a specialist rescue centre - have a look at [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Cheers, helen s Thanks for the link, Helen. I checked it out. Unfortunately there is no rescue organization in Burma, only in Thailand. Not surprised at that, in a country with no *human* rights, there would be no *animal* rights for sure! They would have to get the monkey out of Burma and into Thailand in order to be able to take it to a place such as the Highland Farm Gibbon Sanctuary. However, relations between Thailand and Burma are very strained, there is no border that you can drive over, and taking the monkey on the plane is pretty much out of the question. The other problem is creating a fuss in the town, which would result in them and the company being booted out of the country by the Burmese government. Not only would Dennis and the others lose their jobs, but all the Burmese that work at the base as helpers, etc, would too. And in the end, nothing would be accomplished because the gibbon would end up in a cage somewhere else. I guess maybe they could drive a few miles into the jungle and just let the gibbon go. But who knows if it will survive on it's own? And who knows if it won't just get captured again. Most likely the Burmese driver (they are not allowed to drive themselves) who took them to release it would just remember where they let the gibbon go and then send a family member to catch it right away and sell it! -- Britta Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album <snip> >I guess maybe they could drive a few miles into the jungle and just let the >gibbon go. But who knows if it will survive on it's own? And who knows if >it won't just get captured again. Most likely the Burmese driver (they are >not allowed to drive themselves) who took them to release it would just >remember where they let the gibbon go and then send a family member to catch >it right away and sell it! I agree, it sounds like letting Brian loose would be even worse than just leaving him in the cage they rescued him from. As I understand it, primates learn a great deal about survival from their family in the wild. If he was three months old when rescued from the cage, who knows how old he was when ripped from his family. Even if he doesn't starve or run afoul of some predator, he's no doubt lost all fear of people and would just find himself right back in a cage.  SignatureSteve Touchstone, faithful servant of Sammy, Little Bit and Rocky stouchst@JUNKsirinet.net [remove Junk for email] Home Page: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/index.html Cat Pix: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/animals.html >Thanks for the link, Helen. I checked it out. Unfortunately there is no >rescue organization in Burma, only in Thailand. Not surprised at that, in a [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] >-- >Britta That's where Monkey World comes into its own - they have years of experience in dealing with different political situations and different governments all over the world. Seriously - they would be good people to get in contact with and say *help* to. Cheers, helen s --This is an invalid email address to avoid spam-- to get correct one remove dependency on fame & fortune h*$el*$$e**nd***$o$ts***i*$*$m**m$$o*n**s@$*$a$$o**l.c**$*$om$$ > >Thanks for the link, Helen. I checked it out. Unfortunately there is no > >rescue organization in Burma, only in Thailand. Not surprised at that, in a [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > the world. Seriously - they would be good people to get in contact with and say > *help* to. Yes, but they don't operate in Burma. Do you think if I wrote to them they would go to Burma especially for this? I don't know how easy it would be for them to get to the place, this town is semi off limits to tourists and a wildlife rescue group would probably have quite a bit more trouble even than your average tourist. The Burmese govt. is not very friendly towards any sort of outside "interference" and they have thousands in "custody". -- Britta Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album >Yes, but they don't operate in Burma. Do you think if I wrote to them they >would go to Burma especially for this? I don't know how easy it would be >for them to get to the place, this town is semi off limits to tourists and a >wildlife rescue group would probably have quite a bit more trouble even than >your average tourist. The Burmese govt. is not very friendly towards any >sort of outside "interference" and they have thousands in "custody". Dunno, But if you don't ask, you don't get :-) Plus, even if they can't help directly, due to their experience they *might* know of other contacts? If you contact them and they can't help, well, at least you've tried. Cheers, helen s --This is an invalid email address to avoid spam-- to get correct one remove dependency on fame & fortune h*$el*$$e**nd***$o$ts***i*$*$m**m$$o*n**s@$*$a$$o**l.c**$*$om$$ > >Yes, but they don't operate in Burma. Do you think if I wrote to them they > >would go to Burma especially for this? I don't know how easy it would be [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > directly, due to their experience they *might* know of other contacts? If you > contact them and they can't help, well, at least you've tried. Ok, I sent off an email to them, we'll see what happens. -- Britta Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album >Ok, I sent off an email to them, we'll see what happens. Here's hoping for a positive outcome. Cheers, helen s --This is an invalid email address to avoid spam-- to get correct one remove dependency on fame & fortune h*$el*$$e**nd***$o$ts***i*$*$m**m$$o*n**s@$*$a$$o**l.c**$*$om$$ > That's where Monkey World comes into its own "Monkey World"... that sounds like TJ's version of Hell. :) (OK, back to your regular discussion.) Joyce > > That's where Monkey World comes into its own > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Joyce Mine too, except mine would also have snakes in residence. Pam S. > Ok, it seems that Dennis has a monkey now. Poor monkey, and poor all the other creatures. Why are they kept where they are? Are they for sale, are they for eating? Are there no authorities that would be interested in that kind of thing? The webpage Helen gave looks good, and they have gibbons listed there. At least Brian may have a little better life now, but professional care would be even better. Here's the WWF's take on gibbons, though it's about gibbons in Vietnam. "Gibbons are undoubtedly the world's most endangered apes." <http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/where_we_work/asia_pacific/where/indochina/m osaic_project/area/gibbons.cfm> Beware of line wrap. SignatureMarina, Frank and Nikki Email marina (dot) kurten (at) pp (dot) inet (dot) fi Pics at http://uk.f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/frankiennikki >Ok, it seems that Dennis has a monkey now. I was just informed this morning >when Dennis phoned me from Burma to wish me a Happy Anniversary. (It is a [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] >the monkey more than Vino! ;-) When the internet there is fixed, I'll see >if I can get Dennis to send me a picture of him with the monkey. Sorry to hear about the others, but am glad that Brian is living better. I see that others have already provided links to rescue groups, so will just say that it's a shame that this type of thing happens. BTW, I've had pet birds ever since my trip to Honduras back in the 80s, long before I had any cats. What got me interested in birds was the parrot that was a fixture in our rec tent. The parrot couldn't be brought back to the states, so he stayed there as people rotated in and out. SignatureSteve Touchstone, faithful servant of Sammy, Little Bit and Rocky stouchst@JUNKsirinet.net [remove Junk for email] Home Page: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/index.html Cat Pix: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/animals.html Looking forward to the pic! Best wishes, SignaturePolonca & Soncek > Ok, it seems that Dennis has a monkey now. <snip> When the internet there is fixed, I'll see > if I can get Dennis to send me a picture of him with the monkey. > > -- > Britta > Check out pictures of Vino at: > http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album Oh.....dear.....god...... TJ > Ok, it seems that Dennis has a monkey now. I was just informed this morning > when Dennis phoned me from Burma to wish me a Happy Anniversary. (It is a [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > Check out pictures of Vino at: > http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album J and The Dust wrote: > Oh.....dear.....god...... Speaking of monkeys, have y'all seen the new Quizno's (a sandwich restaurant chain) ad campaign? http://www.quiznos.com/ Their new mascots are called the something monkeys... SignatureVictor Martinez Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM) Send your spam here: uce@ftc.gov Email me here: pistorLITTER@BOXaustin.rr.com OMG is right! You mean, those Viking Kitten-like "We Love the Subs" furry talking things on the commercial are *monkeys*????!! I thought they were cats with hats on. Owrrrr. : J and The Dust wrote: : > Oh.....dear.....god...... [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] : http://www.quiznos.com/ : Their new mascots are called the something monkeys... TJ, that gave me the BIGGEST chuckle :) > Oh.....dear.....god...... > [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] >> Check out pictures of Vino at: >> http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album >Ok, it seems that Dennis has a monkey now. I was just informed this morning >when Dennis phoned me from Burma to wish me a Happy Anniversary. (It is a [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] >the monkey more than Vino! ;-) When the internet there is fixed, I'll see >if I can get Dennis to send me a picture of him with the monkey. Perhaps you could send him some Lavender soap. > Ok, it seems that Dennis has a monkey now. I was just informed this morning > when Dennis phoned me from Burma to wish me a Happy Anniversary. (snipped) I hope they can find a good solution for the poor monkey. Please keep us posted, and please do post pics if you get them! ------ Krista > > Ok, it seems that Dennis has a monkey now. I was just informed this morning > > when Dennis phoned me from Burma to wish me a Happy Anniversary. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > I hope they can find a good solution for the poor monkey. Please keep > us posted, and please do post pics if you get them! Well, I did email the monkey rescue people, but have yet to receive a response. The monkey is living on the patio of the crew house with the guys, Dennis said he still won't let him pick him up but lets him get really close. I guess they will just keep taking care of him. Dennis hasn't sent me any pictures yet, but I'll keep working on him. -- Britta Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > Ok, it seems that Dennis has a monkey now. I've read through the responses and I haven't seen this question. I adore primates, they're fantastically smart and under appreciated. And gibbons are one of the smartest and most lovely. But... a couple of facts spring to mind. One. Gibbons are part of the ape family. They are *strong*, much stronger than men. If the little guy gets pissed or territorial, someone could be in lots of danger. And it wouldn't take much, let Brian hit maturity and smell a female somewhere out in the wild and there might be trouble when one of the guys gets close. Hell, they just have to look at Brian wrong one day, if that much. It wasn't too long ago Roy from Seigfred and Roy was bitten (accidently or on purpose). Two. What about bites, scratches? Many people do have monkeys as pets, and it is all good. But a simple scratch here, we can visit the doctor (much like all of us have done at one time or another with cat scratches) and with a few antibiodics, it's not that big of a deal. But where Dennis is at, a minor pet scratch that can turn infected might be deadly. (Yes I know, you can't shield yourself from the world and there are probably worse things that Dennis can have happen) Does a gibbon carry any diseases that may carry over? Three. What if Brian gets hurt? Combined with his fright and strength, if one of the guys comes close to him, they might get hurt trying to help him. Maybe they can brush up on possible restraints and see about getting a bit of primary gibbon ER 101 care and meds. A couple tranq darts and a primative (no pun intended) first aid kit might be in order. Both for Brian and monkey inflicted bites. What does all this mean? Absolutely nothing because it sounds like there isn't much else that can be done for Brian right now. I am not going to suggest tossing him out to fend for himself. But I am concerned :( Purrs and prayers that it works out all the way around. Maybe Helen's link will provide some sort of information on how to take care of Brian to the best of their ability. I hope so. Grace > > Ok, it seems that Dennis has a monkey now. > [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > > Grace Yeah, well like you said, there's not much else that can be done for him right now. I know he could bite or scratch, but he's not going to get much bigger than 2 feet or so. The guys have a first aid kit and there are pharmacies in town that carry the basics. The monkey rescue site doesn't have any info on how to take care of injured or sick monkeys, but the guys do have internet occasionally. I say occasionally because it's a satellite connection that tends to go out during bad weather and for various other mysterious reasons. But all in all, they would be able to look stuff up if they had to. The saddest part isn't Brian to me, because I think his quality of life has dramatically improved since they got him, but it's all those other gibbons and monkeys and also the sun bears that are still in the cages at the house. They just keep them to have, pets per se. I think they bring them out for festivals, etc. as a kind of a petting zoo :-( This kind of stuff happens all over the place in Asia, more than you can imagine or would like to think about. -- Britta Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album At the idea of "picking the monkey up" - any monkey anywhere - eeeeeeeeeeew. : > > Ok, it seems that Dennis has a monkey now. : > [quoted text clipped - 58 lines] : Check out pictures of Vino at: : http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > At the idea of "picking the monkey up" - any monkey anywhere - eeeeeeeeeeew. Really? I love monkeys. I think they are adorable. This gibbon Brian apparently holds onto that guy Bill like a baby. But like I mentioned, Dennis hasn't been able to get to that stage yet. I keep trying to convince Dennis to bring the gibbon home, but so far no success. (Just kidding here, I know that could never happen). -- Britta Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album >Really? I love monkeys. I think they are adorable. This gibbon Brian >apparently holds onto that guy Bill like a baby. But like I mentioned, [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >-- >Britta I think we've discussed this before...but monkeys just creep me out. I don't know why. I am and always have been such an animal lover....I can even tolerate snakes now....but not monkeys. They're just plain scary. Sherry > I think we've discussed this before...but monkeys just creep me out. I don't > know why. I am and always have been such an animal lover....I can even tolerate > snakes now....but not monkeys. They're just plain scary. > Sherry I'm not really scared of monkeys (yeah, right) but they do creep me out. However, I'd rather have to deal with a monkey than a snake. I've finally advanced enough that snakes no longer make me vomit with fear, but I'm not comfortable with them at all. Pam S. |
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