Chunky monkeys · Issue 869, by Sarah Powell

Monkeys are contributing to a global obesity crisis, Japanese reports have claimed.

In Ohama Park, Japan, the Macaca Mulatta monkeys are not heeding such recommendations, with many of them becoming seriously overweight.

Apparently, this has been caused by visitors offering the monkeys various snacks, bread, or leftovers from their meals, resulting in shocking weight gain.

Officials have said that around 30% of the animals are so huge that they cannot even manage to roam around their 420-square-metre enclosure.

To get an accurate comparison of how large the monkeys have become the Environment Ministry says that the average male Macaca Mulatta monkey weighs roughly 20lbs, compared to the heaviest male at Ohama Park, which weighs in at 4st.

Ohama Park has no official zoo-keeper.

It is reported that the problem went undetected until visitors began reacting to the monkeys with insults and pitying comments.

To try and tackle this problem the authorities are currently deciding whether to erect a fence around the monkey enclosure.

In the meantime, visitors have been warned against feeding the monkeys, who have been put on a strict diet to help them lose weight.

But some say the measures are not good enough.

Akira Kato, Chief of the Japan Monkey Centre, maintains that strict regulations should be put in place to prevent visitors from throwing food into the enclosure.

He also argued that giving animals an unrestricted supply of food is tantamount to abuse, because it has severely restricted the monkeys’ health, as well as their mobility.’

The Park says it takes allegations of animal abuse very seriously, and officials are doing all that they can to help the monkeys to return to their normal size.