Comments On: Snow Monkey

Discovery Channel Human Nature narrated by Olivia Newton John
It first showed Olivia holding a gorilla's hand that was under sedation at San Diego Wild Animal Park. The first story she took us to Japan. To a place they call the valley of hell. It is really not that though because its a valley where they really know how to pamper you. This is the home of the Macaque monkey Japan's only native ape. {I guess Olivia doesn't know that monkeys are not apes.} Not all Macaque monkeys live in such severe surroundings some live in the more warmer southern islands but it is there that their behavior is so fascinating.
An oasis is thought of as a place in a warm climate but in Japan the principle of an oasis also applies to a cold climate. Just as an oasis is in a desert water is the key. In a high valley in the heart of Japan's main island Hunche (sp?) sits a small but special guest house. Two ingredients, one hot and one cold, went into the naming of this place. It started with volcanic spring lashed by hostile weather. The Japanese call it the valley of hell but to the macaque monkeys it is paradise.
The guest house is over a century old and pampering paying guests. And then there are the others that wander in and help themselves. Yes macaque monkeys. Yamaguchi, the valley of hell, is a heaven to the monkeys because life is a long hot bath. Less then fifty years ago these monkeys were on the way out. They were hunted for their meat and body parts which were believed to have medicinal value. Today their human cousins are their friends.
Yamaguchi is now a national park. The temperature in the surrounding mountains can drop to a minus thirty degrees celsius but the promise of soak in the warm springs and food brings the monkeys down to the surrounding forest. The springs house an amazing range of activity. The macaque or snow monkey are a very social animals and there is a strict hierarchy within its distinguished family groups. To get a place in the hierarchy can get you into trouble. Bonding activity starts early. The babies form play groups and develop a real affection for each other. In play groups monkeys learn their place. Grooming is one of the day's biggest chores. They remove irritating parasites and a thorough job can take hours.
Macaque monkeys are very territorial and although they are use to the many human visitors the trespassers must be wary. The guest house is one of Japan's favorite retreats. One of the macaque is a favorite house monkey. She needs her human friends because she was born without hands or feet and regularly visits the kitchen door. Yamaguchi is a place where two species, man and monkey, settled their many differences and reached an accommodation with their mutual enemy the climate. The once threatened Macague monkey now has a secure future. Brad and Trouble
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From: Rita Mazingo on 10/29/99

Hello, I'm Rita and monkeys are my favorite kind of animals. According to me they are pretty cool. But, that is just my opinion though. So, what's your favorite animal? I'm suppose to be doing a report right now for school and I chose to do my report on monkeys.

I just thought I'd let you, whoever decides to read my article, and I appreciate your visitation. So, I better let you go now.

BYE AND THANX AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I appreciated learning a bit more about the Japanese Macaque. I have a large framed picture of one on my wall, with its furry hands holding a snow ball.

I was a little disheartened to read, "Today their human cousins are their friends". Myself and most others would not relate themselves to monkeys, regardless of their human similarities.

Here's a question to ponder: "If humans evolved from monkeys, why are there still monkeys?

Michael

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I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT SNOW MONKEYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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