MONKEY BUSINESS

City’s famous residents in the swing of permanent lock down

THERE is a small Tasmanian community with a lotto teach the world about making the most of life in quarantine, having now spent two decades in full lockdown.

Launceston’ s City Park macaques were almost euthanised 20 years ago because of a Herpes B outbreak.

But the City of Launceston Council opted to continue caring for the famous monkeys after a huge display of community support.

A new enclosure was built so caretakers could practise safe “distanced nursing”. Despite the turmoil, the e monkey troop p has since managed great success in leading long and healthy lives and maintaining their popularity among Tasmanians and visitors alike.

Such is their fame that the council could change the name of its historic City Park to “The Monkey Park’’ and nobody would notice.

There have been monkeys at City Park since the late 1800s, but the novelty has never worn off for Apple Islanders, who still puzzle and ponder over the public display.

Every question you’ve ever wondered about Launceston’s City Park monkeys has been answered here with the help of head gardener and monkey keeper, Wally

Medwin. 1. One of the biggest surprises to people is their diet. The four of the park’ s full-time staff cook up dishes for the macaques you or I might envy.

Their menu includes roast chicken, scrambled eggs, 8-10kg of fresh fruit and vegetables each day, “primate cake’’ and popcorn.

2. Do the monkeys have names?

The caretakers identify each character more by their behaviour al traits than names, like Tappy, who knock son the inside of the enclosure door forfood.

3. Have they ever escaped?

In the 1980s the night enclosure was broken into and several of the braver macaques escaped. Mr Medwin believed three left the City Park site and there st stayed on the roof unsure what to do. They were all captured and safely returned home. It was rumoured one made it to George St, but that has not been verified.

4. Is being a monkey keeper fun?

It turns out being a monkey keeper is not as much funn as you might think and certainly not for everyone. “Itt stinks out the back ,” Mr Med win said.

“The public think we’re out in the back yard picking them up, but you can’ t do that.

“It’s not that type of care you are providing for them, but you can cook for them .”

5. What happens to the monkeys when Festivale is on?

The troop don’t shy away from a party. They are always out during the day. They only spend the day inside a couple of days each year, on maintenance days.

6. What happens to the money thrown into the moat surrounding the monkeys’ island?

They monkeys use it to invest in cryptocurrency. I’m just monkeying around. It all goes back into enriching the monkey program.

7.Where do they sleep?

Behind their outdoor enclosure on public display is their airconditioned indoor enclosure, where they cuddle up in small groups.

8. How do they cope with Launceston’ sc lima te?

The monkeys have acclimatised over generations, but they have never feared the cold. The cool climate macaques come from the snowy mountains. “Although when we had snow a couple of months ago they did not have a clue what was going on ,” said Mr Medwin.

9. Will the troop keep breeding for future generations?

Yes. The council has a breeding program in place, with breeding males brought in from outside the troop.

10. When did the current troop come to Tasmania?

Ten monkeys arrived in Launceston in 1980 from the Japanese Monkey Centre. The migration south was made possible with help from Laun

ceston’s sister city Ikedo, the Fujii Keora company, and fundraising by children of both cities.

11. What about the virus?

Testing was done decades ago and found less than half were found to carry the Herpes B virus strain, and it is now assumed they all have it.

In 2000, the troop was nearly put down due to the disease.

But they were saved in part due to community out cry.

It does not affect the monkeys much and presents as a sore around the mouth like cold sores. Mr Medwin said they do not become sick or die due to the virus, but generally live 30 goodyear sin the park.

He said the monkeys only “shed” the virus when they’re stressed. “That’s why we put so much effort into making sure they’ re happy ,” he said.

12. Can the virus be transferred to humans?

Yes. In fact it can be deadly to humans. It is transferred through bodily fluids. However, the number of recorded transfers is incredibly low. “That ’s why we’ve got the

best safety gear we cange tour hands on to clean, and we do what we call distance nursing ,” Mr Med win said.

“Anything that has to be done is done at a distance .”

The current enclosure was built so the caretakers could look after the monkeys safely.

Thepublicthink back we’reoutinthe up, yardpickingthem that butyoucan’tdo WALLYMEDWIN

13. What happens if I drop something in the enclosure?

Bad luck! Soft toys, dummies, hats and sunglasses are among the most common items dropped into the enclosure, but Mr Med win says once it’ s in“it’ s pretty much gone ”.

The caretakers can’t enter the enclosure during the day.

14. Is it cruel to keep them in captivity?

Mr Medwin said staff have worked hard to show the community that they’ re well lookedafter.

“They are not just caged animals,” he said. “We’ve had people from Japan who say it’ s one of the best enclosures they’ve seen for them. It’s just about managing their numbers and managing how they’ re looked after .” 15. How did Mr Medwin come to bea monkey keeper? Mr Med win is a qualified horticultural i st who worked at the park for several years under the previous head gardener, Dale Poke.

Mr Poke retired late last year after 20 years looking after the monkeys.

16. What training is required to look after the monkeys?

The team of long-term employees have all done various levels of training in-house and out, and between them have decades of knowledge and experience.

Mr Med win was due to further his training with a course at Melbourne Zoo and Tor onga Zoo in Sydney this year, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, that has been put on hold.

The monkeys are also looked after by a local vet who has cared for them passionately for more than 30 years.

“We’re very lucky to be able to have that relationship

17. What value do the monkeys bring the city of Launceston?

City of Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten says the City Park monkeys are highly valued by the community, and people from all over Australia associate them with Launceston. “They’ve been a part of our city for many years and generations of young Launceston residents have grown up with them ,” he said.

“Our staff take the responsibility of caring for the monkeys very seriously. They come up with some pretty novel ways to keep the monkeys happy, engaged and interested in their habitat, using toys, treat sand a diverse diet.”

Cr van Zetten said that on any given day walking through City Park you will find families who have stopped to spend some time watching the monkeys and children who are delighted to be able to see them up close.