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We need to talk about monkeypox without shame and blame

<p>The recent global outbreak of <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/diseases/monkeypox-mpx">monkeypox</a> largely among <a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/07/26/1113713684/monkeypox-stigma-gay-community">men who have sex with men</a> has raised concerns homophobia will undermine effective prevention efforts. There are also fears the disease will fuel homophobic stigma and discrimination.</p> <p>Even the name monkeypox <a href="https://theconversation.com/whats-in-a-name-why-giving-monkeypox-a-new-one-is-a-good-idea-185307">is stigmatising</a> due to long-held <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2022/08/01/1113908154/critics-say-monkeypox-is-a-racist-name-but-its-not-going-away-anytime-soon">racist appropriation of the term monkey</a> and the false implication the virus is transmitted by monkeys.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.who.int/director-general/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-covid-19-media-briefing--14-june-2022">World Health Organization</a> has said the name needs to change, but has not agreed on or announced a new one. Currently, <a href="https://www.aconhealth.org.au/monkeypox">advocates for the LGBTQA+ community</a> are using the term MPX, the term I will use here.</p> <p>MPX is, of course, not the first infectious disease to affect men who have sex with men. So there are things we must learn and things we must not repeat from the public health response to HIV.</p> <h2>Lessons from HIV</h2> <p>When HIV emerged among communities of gay and bisexual men in the 1980s, fear and uncertainty about the cause and nature of the virus led to <a href="https://theconversation.com/lessons-from-the-history-of-hiv-aids-in-australia-how-activism-changed-the-image-of-an-illness-4052">vilification of gay and bisexual men</a>.</p> <p>HIV was initially named “<a href="https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdfplus/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306348">gay-related immune deficiency</a>” or GRID and there was speculation it was caused by men’s excessive sex or drug use (specifically use of <a href="https://theconversation.com/weekly-dose-amyl-started-as-a-poison-antidote-now-a-common-party-drug-64610">amyl nitrate</a>).</p> <p>As well as sparking calls for a crackdown on the rights and freedoms of LGBTQA+ communities, the view gay and bisexual men were to blame for HIV obstructed effective public health responses.</p> <p>Famously, in the United States, then President Ronald Reagan <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/lgbtq-history-month-early-days-america-s-aids-crisis-n919701">made no public mention of HIV or AIDS</a> until more than 12,000 American citizens had died, and HIV had spread widely into many communities.</p> <p>Although today, globally, <a href="https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/fact-sheet">HIV affects more women</a> than men, it is still difficult to disentangle <a href="https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/featurestories/2012/august/20120828punitivelaws">HIV-related stigma from homophobia</a> or stigma against other affected populations, including injecting drug users or sex workers.</p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/charlie-sheen-and-ten-million-dollars-worth-of-hiv-stigma-50909">Stigma creates barriers</a> to HIV prevention as people are reluctant to talk about HIV or <a href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-6156-4">seek testing</a> for fear of being associated with stigmatised groups. It also perpetuates a fundamental lack of empathy for people living with HIV.</p> <p>For these reasons, it’s important we don’t approach MPX in these terms.</p> <h2>A new approach?</h2> <p>There are <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-07-21/monkeypox-government-response-we-can-do-better">some reports</a> of MPX being used to justify homophobic sentiment or actions. However, a crucial difference between this disease and HIV is <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/blaming-gay-men-for-monkeypox-will-harm-everyone/">the world has learned</a> from HIV.</p> <p>There is now better understanding of the insidious ways <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(20)30127-3/fulltext">stigma and discrimination undermine public health</a>. HIV also taught us to be cautious about the potential for public health messaging to contribute to stigma, especially when an illness is associated with <a href="https://www.nihr.ac.uk/blog/the-perfect-storm-how-covid-19-public-health-messages-may-not-serve-ethnic-minority-communities/30257">marginalised cultural or racial groups</a>.</p> <p>Health policy makers have been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/23/un-denounces-homophobic-and-racist-reporting-on-monkeypox-spread">fast to condemn</a> stigmatising media reporting of MPX. Meanwhile the community-based HIV sector has mobilised existing infrastructure and experience to support <a href="https://www.acon.org.au/">advocacy and MPX education</a> for men who have sex with men.</p> <p>Importantly, we now have better knowledge about the effectiveness of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31210141/">sex-positive approaches</a> to preventing HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs). <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/26410397.2019.1593787">Such approaches</a> affirm the pleasures and benefits of sex, aim to build open dialogue about safe sex and ensure people can seek testing without fear of judgement or backlash.</p> <h2>The impact of sexual moralising</h2> <p>We have learned lessons from HIV. However, MPX has exposed the ways sexual moralising is ever-present in public health, undermining sex-positive health promotion.</p> <p>Observers of early media responses to MPX note efforts to avoid stigmatising gay and bisexual men have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jun/23/monkeypox-outbreak-public-information-virus-homophobia">led to obtuse and confusing reporting</a> about the ways in which the disease, <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-does-monkeypox-spread-an-epidemiologist-explains-why-it-isnt-an-sti-and-what-counts-as-close-contact-188130">although not classified as an STI</a>, can be spread through close physical contact and why gay and bisexual men may be at risk of exposure.</p> <p> </p> <p>Reporting has been deliberately vague because there is very limited cultural space for speaking about group sex, casual sex or sex with multiple partners without these practices, and people involved, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/04/opinion/monkeypox-communication.html">being shamed</a>.</p> <p>Despite increasing acceptance of sexual diversity, people’s <a href="https://www.ippf.org/sites/default/files/2016-10/Putting%20Sexuality%20back%20into%20Comprehensive%20Sexuality%20Education_0.pdf">right to engage in pleasurable sex</a> outside a married, monogamous relationship is rarely affirmed. Young women, for example, are <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8296320/">shamed</a> for having “too many” sexual partners, while calls for comprehensive, <a href="https://theconversation.com/sex-ed-needs-to-talk-about-pleasure-and-fun-safe-sex-depends-on-it-and-condom-use-rises-176572">pleasure-based sex education</a> are controversial.</p> <p>While the world has come a long way toward acceptance of same-sex marriage, homophobia often drives condemnation of gay and bisexual men’s sexual cultures.</p> <p>This is most visible in relation to public health. For example, when pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) first became available to prevent HIV, public funding for it <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4566537">was critiqued</a> by some on the grounds this amounted to subsidising gay and bisexual men’s <a href="https://blogs.bmj.com/medical-ethics/2016/10/08/sex-and-other-sins-public-morality-public-health-and-funding-prep/">promiscuity</a>.</p> <p>When considered through the lens of public health, casual sex is <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1467-9566.2012.01475.x">often equated with irresponsibility</a>. People’s right to seek sex and intimacy can also be devalued or <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6951379/">seen as irrelevant</a>.</p> <p>We know, however, <a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/11-02-2022-redefining-sexual-health-for-benefits-throughout-life">acknowledging the significance</a> of sexual identities and sexual connection in people’s lives is the best way to engage communities in sexual health promotion.</p> <h2>A sex-positive approach</h2> <p>As current vaccine supplies for MPX are limited in many jurisdictions, including Australia, <a href="https://theconversation.com/australia-secures-450-000-new-monkeypox-vaccines-what-are-they-and-who-can-have-them-187691">priority access is being given</a> to high-risk groups, including men who have sex with men who have multiple sexual partners.</p> <p>Given men are being asked to disclose their sexual practices to obtain a vaccine, assurance of non-stigmatising health care will be essential for this program to be successful.</p> <p>A sex-positive approach to MPX prevention will also support more open conversations so people can gain a better handle on risk and prevention, no matter who they are.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/188295/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jennifer-power-4215">Jennifer Power</a>, Associate Professor and Principal Research Fellow at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/la-trobe-university-842">La Trobe University</a></em></p> <p>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/we-need-to-talk-about-monkeypox-without-shame-and-blame-188295">original article</a>.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Caring

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Zoo condemned as “cruel” for video of monkey smoking a cigarette

<p dir="ltr">A Chinese zoo has been condemned as cruel and exploitative online after a video of a small monkey smoking a cigarette went viral. Hengshui Wildlife Park, in the province of Hebei, responded to critics, claiming the video was part of an anti-smoking campaign.</p> <p dir="ltr">The video, which had been uploaded to the zoo’s official social media accounts last week before being deleted, shows the monkey sitting on a bench dressed in a purple onesie. It can be seen puffing on the cigarette before the cigarette is removed by a woman.</p> <p dir="ltr">The monkey, blinking repeatedly, rubs its eye, seemingly because of the smoke, before falling backwards.</p> <p dir="ltr">The video has been criticised widely online after being shared to social media and subsequently being picked up by Chinese media outlets. Critics condemned the video as “sick” and called for action to be taken against the zoo.<br /><br />PETA Asia Vice President Jason Baker told<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/cruel-monkey-forced-to-smoke-cigarette-sparks-outrage-083651115.html" target="_blank">Yahoo News Australia</a><span> </span>that it was disturbing to see an incident like this framed as entertaining, saying, "How cruel to force a baby monkey to smoke for human amusement. Gradually, zoos are learning that spectacles like monkey performances, elephant rides, and photo ops with tiger cubs are inappropriate and exploitative."</p> <p dir="ltr">An employee at the zoo told Red Star News that even though the cigarette was lit, the monkey did not inhale any of the smoke, and was simply posing for a video designed to highlight the issues associated with smoking.</p> <p dir="ltr">Broadcaster CCTV said that zoos should be setting an example of how to treat animals, and questioned how effective it was to use a monkey to influence human habits.</p> <p dir="ltr">The China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation has commenced an investigation, with deputy secretary general Ma Yong calling the incident “unreasonable” and stating that it was most likely illegal. He added that the zoo would be under close scrutiny following the incident.</p> <p dir="ltr">Roughly 28% of the Chinese population, or 316 million people, smoke, according to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: The Paper</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Roving gangs of bored monkeys raid homes

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With the floods of tourists that usually flock to Bali unable to holiday on the resort island, its hungry resident monkeys have taken to raiding villagers’ homes in search of food and entertainment.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Villagers in Sangeh say grey macaques have been coming to their homes from the nearby Sangeh Monkey Forest, spending their time hanging out on roofs and waiting for the right time to snatch a snack.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With concerns that the monkeys may turn wild or lead a full-on assault on the village, residents have been taking food, including fruit and peanuts, to the forest.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We are afraid that the hungry monkeys will turn wild and vicious,” villager Saskara Gustu Alit said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">About 600 macaques live in the sanctuary that surrounds the famous Pura Bukit Sari temple.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Normally, the protected area is a popular spot for local residents shooting wedding photos, as well as international holidaymakers.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Prior to the pandemic, over 6,000 visitors typically came to the forest each month, but these numbers have dropped drastically to about 500 people, as Indonesia banned all foreign travelers from entering Bali in July.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The sanctuary has also been closed to local residents, meaning the monkeys have had no visitors at all.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height:0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843827/gettyimages-1135018189.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ec2eada32b94480fa0759c0eaf95153a" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Getty Images</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Operations manager Made Mohon said that the closure has also meant that the sanctuary is running low on money to buy food for the monkeys.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Donations from villagers have made a difference, but they are also donating less and less as they feel the economic sting, he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This prolonged pandemic is beyond our expectations,” Made Mohon said. “Food for monkeys has become a problem.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The monkeys’ daily diet of 200 kg of cassava, their staple food, and 10kg of bananas costs about 850,000 rupiah ($80) a day.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though macaques are omnivores and can eat a range of jungle animals and plants, the monkeys living in the sanctuary have developed a preference for other things, thanks to their contact with humans.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Often the monkeys will wander into the village and sit on roofs, causing mischief by removing and dropping roof tiles or making off with religious offerings placed outside by villagers.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“A few days ago I attended a traditional ceremony at a temple near the Sangeh forest,” Gustu Alit said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“When I parked my car and took out two plastic bags containing food and flowers as offerings, two monkeys suddenly appeared and grabbed it all and ran into the forest very fast.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since the monkeys usually have visitors to interact with - whether they’re jumping on shoulders, stealing sunglasses, or pulling at clothes - Gustu Alit believes boredom, not just hunger, is driving the monkeys.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“That’s why I have urged villagers to come to the forest to play with the monkeys and offer them food,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I think they need to interact with humans as often as possible so that they do not go wild.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></span></p>

International Travel

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Friends monkey trainer calls out David Schwimmer “despicable” behaviour

<p>David Schwimmer was not a big fan of Marcel the Monkey, labelling it the “worst thing” that happened during the filming of <em>Friends</em>.</p> <p>When on the reunion, the star admitted he did not enjoy filming scenes with the monkey, as he often “messed up” filming.</p> <p>“Here is my problem: The monkey, obviously, was trained. It had to hit its mark and do its thing right at the perfect time,” Schwimmer said during the reunion.</p> <p>“What inevitably began to happen was we would all have choreographed bits kind of timed out, and it would get messed up, because the monkey didn’t do its job right. So we would have to reset, we’d have to go again, because the monkey didn’t get it right.</p> <p>“It was time for Marcel to f**k off.”</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842335/friends-monkeu-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/d32e56fbc3284465ad4048f38b68f18f" /></p> <p><em>Image: Friends screengrab</em></p> <p>Marcel’s trainer, Mike Morris, has called out Schwimmer for his “despicable” words.</p> <p>Morris told The Sun that the two monkeys who portrayed Marcel only had a problem with Schwimmer but the other cast members.</p> <p>“I didn’t watch the reunion interview but I heard from others what Schwimmer said. I just don’t agree with it, if anything he threw off their timing if we want to be truthful,” Morris said.</p> <p>“Schwimmer was fine with the monkeys for the first couple of episodes and happy to be there, but people would laugh at the monkey and I think he got jealous because it wasn’t him getting the laughs.</p> <p>“He seemed to get a little bitter about them being there after that, and of course the monkeys didn’t like working with him after he turned on them.</p> <p>“It made it harder to do the work. A five-camera show is hard to work on with animals anyway so if you have an actor that’s not very helpful, it makes it even worse.</p> <p>“My colleague who also worked on the show says that people would laugh at the monkey and throw Schwimmer off. He’s not the kind of actor who can improvise.”</p> <p>Morris went on to say Schwimmer only despised working with the monkeys, as he was not talented enough to ad lib.</p> <p>“I think a good actor can play off an animal,” Morris said.</p> <p>“We did a shot with Seinfeld and he played off the monkey and went with what the monkey was doing.</p> <p>“I think David had a little problem with that, he was very regimented and had to do what the script said.</p> <p>“I think he had a problem improvising with the monkey.”</p> <p>A capuchin named Katie was one of the two adorable monkeys to play Marcel, and she is still working in the film business.</p> <p>Sadly, the other monkey, known as Monkey, died of cancer in August of 2020.</p> <p>“Schwimmer was talking ill of the dead when he made those comments,” Morris said.</p> <p>“I find it despicable for him to still be speaking ill of her.”</p> <p>The reunion special wasn’t the first time Schwimmer has spoken of his experience with the monkeys.</p> <p>Morris admitted he will never watchthe ’90s sitcom due to Schwimmer claiming the monkeys threw poop and tried to bite him.</p> <p>“I have refused to (watch <em>Friends</em>) ever since he did an interview after the animals got written out of the show and he said they tried to bite him and throw poop at him,” Morris said.</p> <p>“They didn’t do any of that. None of it is true, when I was there none of that ever happened.”</p> <p>Morris said Katie doesn’t hold any bad blood toward Schwimmer despite his comments.</p> <p>“Katie can’t speak for herself so that’s why I’m talking out for her,” Morris said.</p> <p>“The monkeys definitely wouldn’t hold a grudge against David, if Katie had to work with him again tomorrow she would do it no problem.</p> <p>“I know he holds a grudge against the monkeys but they definitely don’t hold one against him.</p> <p>“They’re just good-natured animals and probably don’t even remember him.”</p>

Movies

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How Bali’s monkey “mafia” is tricking tourists

<p>As if tourists don’t have enough to worry about these days, researchers in Indonesia have pointed to a monkey “mafia” that has taken over a popular temple to pilfer visitors.</p> <p>While these monkeys might look innocent enough, they’re up to all sorts of monkey business and have developed a reputation for taking belongings and returning them for food.</p> <p>See this in action below.</p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PJpCD3Z3z9g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p>With each generation, the monkeys have grown bolder and have learned from their parents that if they hold onto the stolen goods, they will get a tasty treat.</p>

International Travel

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New version of cult 80s show Monkey Magic returns to TV

<p>If you watched TV at all during the 80s, chances are you’re familiar with the English-dubbed Japanese cult TV series <em>Monkey</em> (more commonly known as <em>Monkey Magic</em> after its catchy theme song). If it was a favourite of yours, we’ve got good news – Monkey is making a comeback.</p> <p>Netflix will team up with ABC and TVNZ to create a “big budget fantasy drama,” titled <em>The Legend of Monkey</em>, consisting of 10 half-hour-long episodes inspired by 16th century Chinese story, <em>Journey to the West</em>, which follows three fallen gods (Monkey, Pigsy and Lion) as they attempt to “bring an end to a demonic reign of chaos and restore balance to their world”.</p> <p><img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/35623/image__498x245.jpg" alt="monkey magic" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>“The mythical tale of the Monkey King is a story that continues to captivate global audiences,” said head of children’s TV at the ABC, Michael Carrington. “Our production partner See-Saw Films [<em>The King’s Speech</em>, <em>Lion</em>] is bringing <em>The Legend of Monkey</em> to life through incredible locations and sets, an acclaimed production team and an exciting diverse young cast. We can't wait for fans to see this new series that features the heroes they love and we are just as excited to introduce this reimagined magical and exciting world to a whole new generation of viewers.”</p> <p>Among the Aussie and Kiwi cast members are Chai Hansen, Luciane Buchanan, Josh Thomson and Emilie Cocquerel. It will premiere on the ABC, TVNZ and Netflix globally next year.</p>

TV

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Baby monkey snuggles up with mum

<p>Meet Taronga Zoo’s new baby langur, Embe. The bright orange little critter was spotted cuddling up to his mother in an adorable video released by Taronga Zoo.</p> <p>Like all baby François langurs, Embe was born with distinctive orange fur. It is believed that the colour makes it easier for adults to spot their infants.</p> <p>François langur monkeys are critically endangered. Langur monkeys are native to China and Vietnam, where just 2000 remain in the wild.</p>

News

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Naughty monkey won’t stop annoying cat

<p>In a video that siblings will be all too familiar with, a naughty monkey has been captured on camera “taunting” his cat companion.</p> <p>Climbing over, swinging past and pinching the cat, the cheeky monkey certainly knows how to cause mischief. But in the end it’s the cat who gets the last laugh!</p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/06/do-our-pets-dream/"><em>Do our pets dream?</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/05/dr-chris-brown-secrets-to-dealing-with-allergies-to-pets/"><em>The secret to dealing with pet allergies</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/05/reasons-your-dogs-health-is-as-important-as-your-own/"><em>6 reasons your dog’s health is just as important as your own</em></a></strong></span></p>

News

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Rescue monkeys burst bubbles for the first time

<p>In this video we meet a troop of rescue monkeys at Jaguar Rescue Centre in Costa Rica.</p> <p>And today, they’re in for a real treat.</p> <p>The owners have arranged for the monkeys to experience bubbles for the first time, and as we can see in the video above they are absolutely captivated by the experience.</p> <p>As the presenter notes, “It’s this curiosity that makes monkeys so intelligent. They always want to find out what’s going on. And that allows them to learn.”</p> <p>Some of the monkeys don’t quite know what to make of the bubbles, others seem to get a real kick out of swatting them and making them pop with their hands.</p> <p>This video was filmed as part of the BBC One program, Nature’s Miracle Orphans.</p> <p>This is the same program that featured Moyo, the very <a href="/news/news/2016/02/adorable-baby-elephant-makes-himself-at-home/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">adorable yet not-entirely-domesticated elephant</span></strong></a>.</p> <p><em>Video credit: YouTube / BBC</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/02/baby-monkey-casual-bath-sink/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Baby monkey has casual bath in sink</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2015/11/rare-baby-orange-monkey/"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Taronga Zoo welcomes rare baby orange monkey</strong></span></em></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/03/10-world-photography-award-winning-images/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>10 World Photography Award winning images</strong></em></span></a></p>

International Travel

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Monkeys stealing things from tourist

<p>These monkeys are clever… too clever.</p> <p>In this video from the BBC we see a collection of monkeys who’ve made a living from outsmarting tourists. They’re actually quite clever, it’s very impressive.</p> <p>To see all their sneaky tactics, watch the video above.</p> <p><em>Video credit: YouTube / BBC</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/02/a-look-inside-first-class-cabins/">Inside 8 first class cabins that will amaze you</a></span></em></strong></p> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/02/most-photographed-locations-in-london/">London’s 8 most photographed locations</a></span></em></strong></p> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/02/holiday-ideas-for-animal-lovers/">8 holiday ideas every animal lover needs to experience</a></span></em></strong></p>

International Travel

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Baby monkey has casual bath in sink

<p>After a busy day of monkey business, this baby monkey needs a bath.</p> <p>But a tub is far too big for the job, so its owner decides to clean it in the sink.</p> <p>The monkey clings to her hand as she washes it.</p> <p>She even uses a toothbrush to comb the monkey’s hair (although we hope she remembers to keep it separate from the other ones in the bathroom).</p> <p>While the monkey certainly doesn’t look like it’s going bananas for the cleaning, we’re sure it will feel a lot better after the quick bath.</p> <p>And if you like this one, check out this <strong><a href="/news/news/2015/12/owl-casual-bath-kitchen-sink/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">baby owl having a bath in a kitchen sink</span></a></strong>. </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/02/giant-goanna-spotted-heading-towards-pub/"><strong>Giant goanna spotted heading towards pub</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/02/adorable-joey-is-desperate-for-food/"><strong>This adorable joey is desperate for food</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/02/squirrel-family-cat-wrestle-roof/"><strong>Sassy squirrel and family cat wrestle on roof</strong></a></em></span></p>

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99-year-old woman wakes up to find raccoon-like creature sleeping on her chest

<p>We’ve heard of wake up calls, but this is something else entirely.</p> <p>A 99-year-old woman in the US has woken to the disturbing sight of a kinkajou sleeping peacefully on her chest. The big, furry racoon-like creature is traditionally found in rainforest in South America.</p> <p>The woman was startled (quite understandably) when she noticed the creature sleeping on her chest, which jumped out of bed and fled to the attic when she woke up.</p> <p>The woman’s friend Cathy Moghari was able to lure the animal out of the attic and take it to a veterinarian. Ms Moghari said, "I start thinking, 'How are we going to get this animal out?' So I googled kinkajou sounds and found a video. And I was holding it up to the ceiling, and we hear a rumbling. And, sure enough, it came out to the opening that we had in the ceiling."</p> <p>With the animal now safe it seems as though all’s well that ends well, but there may be a couple of sleepless nights for the 99-year-old woman in the coming weeks.  </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/02/cat-shows-dog-how-to-escape/"><strong>Hero cat shows anxious dog how to escape</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/01/petition-to-put-fred-hollows-on-5-dollar-note/"><strong>Petition to put Fred Hollows on $5 note gains support from high profile Aussies</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/01/can-you-find-the-6-words-hidden-in-this-picture/"><strong>Can you find the 6 words hidden in this picture?</strong></a></em></span></p>

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Festival where monkeys are treated to a 5-star feast

<p>It’s a good time of year to be a monkey in Lopburi, a Thai province just north of Bangkok.</p> <p>Every year locals have a “Monkey Buffet Festival” where the local monkey population (which sits at roughly 2,000) is treated to a five star feast including fruits and vegetables.</p> <p>Monkey Festival organiser Yongyuth Kitwattananusorn told Reuters, “The highlight of the food this year is durians and cherries. I paid 1,900 baht (NZ$70) per kilogram for it. It just came from Chile. The monkeys are lucky to eat cherries from Chile.”</p> <p>All day long, monkeys jump from table to table feasting, with tourists and locals watching in awe. The festival started in 1989 to boost tourism and now attracts thousands of people every year.</p> <p><em><strong>No matter where you’re travelling to, making sure you know how to access your cash while away – and in the most affordable way – is very important. Easy to use and with countless benefits, the Over60 Cash Passport allows you to securely access your cash in the same way you use an ATM or credit card­.<a href="https://oversixty.cashpassport.com.au"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> To find out how you can apply for a card today, click here.</span></a><br /></strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Have you arranged your travel insurance yet? Tailor your cover to your needs and save money by not paying for things you don’t need. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://elevate.agatravelinsurance.com.au/oversixty?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=content&amp;utm_content=link1&amp;utm_campaign=travel-insurance">Click here</a></span> to read more about Over60 Travel Insurance.</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2015/12/best-countries-to-visit-in-2016/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Top 10 countries to visit in 2016</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2015/12/best-value-travel-in-2016/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>10 best-value travel destinations for 2016</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2015/11/whistler-resort-canada-tourist-guide/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>The snow-capped mountain metropolis people never want to leave</strong></em></span></a></p>

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Zoo welcomes rare baby orange monkey

<div class="yiv1053825781" id="yiv1053825781yui_3_16_0_1_1448574137999_11404"> <p>What’s cuter than a baby money? A rare <em>orange</em> baby monkey! This video of Nangua, the newest, cutest addition to Sydney’s Taronga Zoo has to be seen to be believed. </p> <p>Nangua- whose name means ‘pumpkin" in Mandarin – is a male Francois’ langur, one of the world’s rarest monkeys. It’s believed he is one of only 2000 Francois’ langur monkeys globally, with most concentrated in northern Vietnam and south–west China.</p> <p>If you want to catch a glimpse of this adorable monkey in person, hurry. Nangua’s orange hair will slowly turn black after a year, to look more his parents.</p> <p> </p> <p><img width="631" height="355" src="http://rack.2.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDE1LzExLzI2L2FiL2xhbmd1cjUuMjhhNzYuanBnCnAJdGh1bWIJMTIwMHg5NjAwPg/63520257/b04/langur-5.jpg" alt="Francois Langur"/></p> <p><img width="635" height="357" src="http://rack.0.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDE1LzExLzI2LzE3L2xhbmd1cjMuYzY0ZmYuanBnCnAJdGh1bWIJMTIwMHg5NjAwPg/0f060723/9f6/langur-3.jpg" alt="Francois Langur"/></p> <p><img width="636" height="358" src="http://rack.3.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDE1LzExLzI2LzU0L2xhbmd1cjcuMDkyZTAuanBnCnAJdGh1bWIJMTIwMHg5NjAwPg/ef57522c/53b/langur-7.jpg" alt="Francois Langur"/></p> <p><img width="636" height="358" src="http://rack.2.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDE1LzExLzI2L2EzL2xhbmd1cjYuOTZlMjQuanBnCnAJdGh1bWIJMTIwMHg5NjAwPg/e60298ad/424/langur-6.jpg" alt="Francois Langur"/></p> <p><img width="636" height="358" src="http://rack.3.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDE1LzExLzI2LzE0L2xhbmd1cjQuMDU5NGQuanBnCnAJdGh1bWIJMTIwMHg5NjAwPg/2c2da2aa/709/langur-4.jpg" alt="Francois Langur"/></p> <p><img width="644" height="362" src="http://rack.2.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDE1LzExLzI2LzRiL2xhbmd1cjIuZmIwMTcuanBnCnAJdGh1bWIJMTIwMHg5NjAwPg/4ac02cdb/0dc/langur-2.jpg" alt="Francois Langur"/></p> <p><img width="644" height="362" src="http://rack.1.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDE1LzExLzI2LzRhL2xhbmd1cjEuYzk1NTQuanBnCnAJdGh1bWIJMTIwMHg5NjAwPg/b3ca45cf/81b/langur-1.jpg" alt="Francois Langur"/></p> <p><em>Video courtesy of Channel Seven</em></p> <p> </p> </div>

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