Singapore Zoo reaches out to monkeys in Yunnan, China

The Straits Times, April 7, 2007


Singapore Zoo reaches out to monkeys in Yunnan, China
It will pay for and train staff at centre set up to save endangered snub-nosed monkeys

By Tania Tan

PRECIOUS PRIMATE: Deforestation has robbed the snub-nosed monkeys of their habitat. Their population in the wild is around 2,000.






WHEN it comes to helping endangered primates, the Singapore Zoo does not monkey around - never mind even if the animals are thousands of miles away.

The zoo told The Straits Times that it has joined three international wildlife organisations to help run a centre to help monkeys in Yunnan, south-west China.

The zoo, well-known for its diverse primate collection and successful breeding programmes, will pay for and train staff at the Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey Rescue Centre.

The centre, to be located high in the mountains of Weixi County, will be manned by two veterinarians and three hus- bandry staff.

Slated to open by the year-end, it will provide treatment to ill monkeys and those injured by illegal snares and traps.

Local tribespeople will play a part in the project, too, working with the centre to rescue the animals.

Snub-nosed monkeys get their name from the short stump of a nose on their round faces.

Found almost exclusively in southern China, their habitat once used to span as far as north-eastern Tibet, but deforestation has limited them to small pockets in South China - and their population in the wild is estimated to be around 2,000.

Growing up to 80cm in length, excluding a metre-long tail, the black, furry creatures live at high altitudes - up to 4,000m above sea level - the highest by any primate apart from man.

The centre's other partners are the Zoological Society of San Diego, China Exploration and Research Society (Cers) and Bai Ma Snow Mountain Reserve.

Zoologists from San Diego will conceptualise the design of the centre, which will include treatment and recovery rooms as well as an educational area for human guests.

It will eventually serve as a focal point for local scientists to conduct conservation and education projects.

Said Cers president Wong How Man: 'It's not just about saving the monkeys...It's also about involving the local people and educating them on how they can help.'

The Hong Kong-based Cers has been involved in more than 100 conservation projects across China, including programmes with golden monkeys, wild yaks and black-necked cranes.

It approached the Singapore Zoo for help last year because of its stellar record of breeding and caring for primates.

Zoo curator Francis Lim said the project is an 'excellent opportunity' to learn from other conservation experts.