City to Sterilize Beloved Japanese Monkeys in Launceston
Launceston’s council votes to sterilize Japanese monkeys to address health concerns and prevent inbreeding
Launceston, Japan, Japanese Monkeys, Sterilization, City Park
Launceston: The city is making some tough choices about its beloved Japanese monkeys. They’ve decided to sterilize the male macaques to stop them from breeding. This comes after concerns about disease and inbreeding.
For over 40 years, these monkeys have been a big draw at City Park. People love watching them play and interact. But by 2025, there might not be any left if things don’t change.
Back in 2000, a herpes virus was found among the monkeys, which raised alarms. Although there were talks about euthanizing them, that idea didn’t sit well with the public.
These monkeys were a gift from Launceston’s sister city, Ikeda, in 1981. Now, the city is worried about the lack of genetic diversity in the troop.
The council’s decision to desex the males aims to keep the monkeys healthy. They expect the process to take about two years.
During a recent council meeting, members voted overwhelmingly in favor of this plan after hearing about miscarriages and stillbirths among the monkeys.
Mayor Matthew Garwood expressed that the community cares deeply about the monkeys’ welfare. He emphasized that the decision, while tough, is meant to ensure the monkeys stay healthy and happy.
Interestingly, if Launceston were offered these monkeys today, the council might think twice about accepting them. Councillor Andrea Dawkins pointed out that times have changed, and keeping animals for human enjoyment is something society is reevaluating.