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https://edition.cnn.com/2023/02/09/asia/japan-zoo-gibbon-pregnancy-mystery-intl-hnk/index.html A gibbon who lived alone in her cage had a baby. Japanese zookeepers finally know how By Xiaofei Xu, Philip Wang and Junko Ogura, CNN Updated 2:36 AM EST, Fri February 10, 2023 CNN — Japanese zookeepers believe they have solved the mystery of how a gibbon became pregnant despite living alone in her cage. Momo, a 12-year-old white-handed gibbon, shocked her keepers at the Kujukushima Zoo and Botanical Garden in Nagasaki in February 2021 when she gave birth despite having no male companionship. Now two years later, following a DNA test on her baby, the zoo has worked out who the father is – and even has a theory about how the gibbons mated. The test showed the father to be Itō, a 34-year-old agile gibbon, who was in an adjacent enclosure to Momo around the time she became pregnant. The zoo told CNN on Friday it believed that Momo and Itō had managed to mate through a small hole in a steel plate between their enclosures. The hole measured about 9 millimeters (0.3 inch) in diameter. Momo the gibbon and her baby at the Kujukushima Zoo. The baby ape – who is yet to be named – now weighs around 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) and is “growing healthily” under Momo’s loving attention, the zoo said. “It is a precious life born into the world, we will continue to take good care of him and hope that he will live a healthy long life,” said Hideki Hisano, deputy director of the zoo. Gibbons are among the smallest apes, but they have loud singing voices that have developed into an elaborate language, and can swing from branch to branch at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. There are dozens of gibbon species that are native to parts of Asia, ranging from northeastern India to China and all the way to the Borneo archipelago. The population of agile gibbons in the wild has been decreasing and they have been listed as an endangered species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature, because their habitat is threatened by human activities such as deforestation, mining and road construction.

this was like in the movie Avatar if this can apply on human

Today's post is slightly different from the usual posts as there is nothing lawfully wrong (as far as we know!) about today's subject. Published first on ROADS.sg's facebook page, road user Shah Ismail took a photo of this guy on his electric bike as he was at the junction of Mountbatten Road and Stadium Blvd. We don't know what to make of this; maybe Monkey God, a legendary character in a popular Chinese novel, hasn't realised that the hairdressing salons are already back in operation? Check out the what others have to say about this peculiar scene.

Sighting of endangered monkeys using rope bridge to cross road gives hope their numbers will expand source: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/sighting-of-endangered-monkeys-using-rope-bridge-to-cross-road-gives-hope?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=STFB&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR3cd-kcvJC_x9f7Sc3nukYUQNCuQofc9sFre84MHu6n0eXfzxf_nR03LpY#Echobox=1587123524 SINGAPORE - The sight of a monkey climbing a rope bridge to cross a road may not be noteworthy to most people. Most would not have noticed the bridge across Old Upper Thomson Road, which was built by the National Parks Board (NParks) in October 2019 to help animals cross from the vegetation in Thomson Nature Park to the forests in the neighbouring Central Catchment Nature Reserve. But a new video showing three critically endangered Raffles' banded langurs using the rope bridge has excited conservationists here. The video was posted by NParks on Thursday night (April 16) on its social media channels. It shows the shy, black-and-white monkeys using the bridge to cross the dual-lane road. As they make their way from one end to the other, a car drives by under them. Primate scientist Andie Ang, who has been studying the langurs for about a decade, said the footage from the camera trap marked the first time she saw the shy langurs using a crossing aid to move across two forests. The langur, found only in a cluster of forests in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve and a number of surrounding buffer forests, is one of two monkey species in Singapore. The other is the brown-furred long-tailed macaque, which is more commonly seen in parks. Dr Adrian Loo, NParks’ group director for conservation, said langurs have been spotted using the rope ladder bridge on multiple occasions since last August. The most recent sighting, which comprised a troop of langurs crossing the bridge from Thomson Nature Park to Central Catchment Nature Reserve, was observed on April 6, said Dr Loo. Dr Ang, a Wildlife Reserves Singapore Conservation Fund (WRSCF) research scientist, said the sighting is significant as it shows that the arboreal bridge is useful in allowing wildlife to cross safely. This connectivity is crucial for this species as it could expand the forested areas the langurs can access to find food and mates, she added. There are only 63 Raffles' banded langurs left in Singapore. Earlier research by Dr Ang and five other scientists from the National University of Singapore and Andalas University in Indonesia showed that the genetic make-up of this species - which can also be found in southern Peninsular Malaysia - is distinct enough to be considered a species of its own. There are two other langur species in the region. Second Minister for National Development Desmond Lee shared the video in a Facebook post on Thursday evening and said that Thomson Nature Park is a key conservation site for Singapore's rare native biodiversity, including the langur. "The habitats and ecological connectivity of the area had been enhanced for the langurs," he explained. "Rope bridges between the nature park and the adjacent Central Catchment Nature Reserve act as canopy linkages to keep them safe from traffic." MONKEYS CROSSING Thomson Nature Park is home to about three troops of langurs, including one comprising five bachelors, said Dr Ang. The other two are family units comprising an alpha male, females and their young. Previously, the langurs had used the natural canopy of the trees on both sides of Old Upper Thomson Road to cross. But tree pruning in 2017 had disrupted this connectivity, she noted. "After that, volunteers saw the langurs descending to the ground to make the crossing. "But unlike macaques, langurs are arboreal animals and are uncomfortable travelling on the ground," she said. It took consistent monitoring over the years by Dr Ang and Ms Sabrina Jabbar, a WRSCF project assistant, as well as volunteers who had joined a citizen science survey, to narrow down the most likely location along the 3km-long Old Upper Thomson Road that the langurs were likely to use again. "Based on the observations, we recommended the location for the bridge to NParks," said Dr Ang, who chairs the Raffles' banded langur working group, comprising representatives from NParks, WRS, the Nature Society (Singapore) as well as volunteers. She added that more rope bridges or other artificial crossing aids could be used to facilitate the movement of wildlife in Singapore's fragmented forest landscape. But such bridges need to be regularly maintained to ensure the safety of animals using them, as well as that of pedestrians and vehicles below, she said. "Such devices should not be seen as an alternative to preserving habitat and maintaining natural canopy connectivity," she said. "After all, it also takes time before animals begin to use them." NParks’ Dr Loo said the Board will be installing more rope ladder bridges to enhance connectivity for arboreal animals. Giving an update on the first single-rope bridge that NParks installed in February 2018 across Upper Seletar Reservoir, Dr Loo said it has been removed with the conclusion of a trial, as there is currently no need for enhanced aerial connectivity at this site. The trial had looked at different forms of aerial connectivity and tested the feasibility of the single rope bridge design. Single-rope bridges were found to require higher maintenance and to not be as animal-friendly as rope ladders, Dr Loo said. He added: “As a result of the trial, a second rope ladder bridge has been installed earlier this year across Old Upper Thomson Road at a spot in the canopy that is frequented by the langurs. This complements the original rope ladder bridge that was installed last year.” Dr Loo said NParks will continue to work with the Raffles’ Banded Langur working group to identify new crossing sites. In his Facebook post on Thursday, Mr Lee urged people to remain indoors during the current circuit breaker period, saying that Singapore's wildlife will still be around for people to admire after the crisis. He said: "During this critical period, it is important that all of us stay home and keep ourselves and our families safe from the threat of Covid-19. "Our biodiversity is keeping well, and will still be around for us to visit and admire, after we have overcome this pandemic."

feel sad for him.

Which animals are better behave ? Yahoo : Zoo meerkat expert sentenced over assault on monkey handler LONDON (AP) — A former meerkat expert at London Zoo has been ordered to pay compensation to a monkey handler she attacked with a wine glass in a love spat over a llama-keeper. A judge at Westminster Magistrates' Court said Wednesday that Caroline Westlake must pay 800 pounds ($1,235) to Kate Sanders for assaulting her in a dispute over colleague Adam Davies, who had dated both women. Judge Jeremy Colman also sentenced 30-year-old Westlake to 12 months community service for assault. The judge said Sanders had suffered a "nasty" face injury in the fracas at a zoo Christmas party on Dec. 8. Westlake had claimed that Sanders punched her first, and said she did not remember hitting her colleague with the glass. She was fired by the zoo after the incident. link : https://sg.news.yahoo.com/zoo-meerkat-expert-sentenced-over-assault-monkey-handler-155618685.html Now she is out of job. I don't mind she is my keeper ....

Is there any workshop in Singapore that is capable of doing 1/2(?) (1/10?) of what these guys do? Thinking of "revamping" a 20 year old car into something comfortable (not extravagant). Don't need the bling bling or the skull paint jobs. Thank you!

An unusual mishap took place quite recently in Aransas Pass, Texas, USA. On Wednesday, 19th June 2013, an unexpecting police officer got bitten by a monkey as he was trying to give a ticket to the driver of a speeding car, in which a monkey was riding in. The traffic policeman, Keith Moore, 21, got his hand attacked by the monkey - which probably became outraged seeing its driver being given the ticket - right when he was trying to ask the driver to sign on the speeding ticket. The officer, shocked by the attack, went back and reported it to his fellow police officer - who also happened to be his sergeant - who was waiting in the police car behind the car being pulled over. As it turned out, Moore wasn't the only one shocked as his sergeant's reaction was also the same as his. Moore told Kris TV that his sergeant thought he got stung by a bee at first. It was when Moore was walking back to his sergeant that he could tell him more clearly that it was a monkey that attacked him and that monkey just came out of nowhere. Well, you see, how is a police officer supposed to expect that there would be a monkey, or even any other animal, sitting at the back of a car? Despite the attack, Keith Moore carried on his work and gave the old man - who was driving the car the monkey was in - the ticket all the same. Later on, it was discovered that the monkey was actually kind of a celebrity and one which was normally quite friendly, too. It was a circus monkey, a professional in posing for pictures in carnivals and festivals. Well, in that case, the monkey probably just doesn't like to see its driver getting pulled over and given a ticket as it was in a rush to its performance. As for Moore, who was a rookie police officer, it seems that he had gotten a story to share with everyone back in the police base.

Freaking pissed off this morn... just wondering if any folks here encountered similar situations before. I was at this red light junction while driving to office this morn, it turned green.. The moment it turned green, the taxi behind me honked and held his honk... !!!! As if i'm the bloodiest kind of kayu driver Come on la.. I'm not in a F1 race or something!!! I am not obligated to cheong off the moment the light turns green man... Really dun know if that goondu knows what reaction time is!!The car beside me have not even moved off as well... Maybe the idiot wants to rush off to lao sai!! but that's really not my bloody problem man!! As he over took me, the old monkey gave me all sorts of angry and dramatic hand gestures, this old man that looks like a monkey. Next junction/s lights turned red, lan lan, monkey stopped next to me.... I just turned to look at him... not the threatening kinda gangster look, I just wanna see his irritating face, dunno why.... He just sat there, cowed and lost his previous bravado... knn coward man !! What saved the day was the passenger, this office exec, mid to late 20s, sitting at the back touching up her makeup... she must have sensed the tension, just looked up and gave me a sweet smile... Anger subsided... Pray tell me if i'm in the wrong ... if you think so.... The last I recall as road users, we are NOT IN THE WRONG if we dun speed off once the lights turn red?? isn't it?

Just cannot stop chuckling over the headline [laugh] On a serious note the Persians are following closely behind the PRCers in the race to space apparently. Manned flights may be just a matter of time... From CNA: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp...1250785/1/.html Iran sends monkey into space Posted: 28 January 2013 2331 hrs An Al-Alam TV image from Monday shows a man at an unknown location with a monkey said to have been into space. (Al-Alam TV/AFP) TEHRAN: Iran on Monday successfully sent a monkey into orbit, paving the way for a manned space flight, Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi told state television. Arabic-language channel Al-Alam and other Iranian news agencies said the monkey returned alive after travelling in a capsule to an altitude of 120 kilometres (75 miles) for a sub-orbital flight. "This success is the first step towards man conquering the space and it paves the way for other moves," General Vahidi said, but added that the process of putting a human into space would be a lengthy one. "Today's successful launch follows previous successes we had in launching (space) probes with other living creatures (on board)," he added. "The monkey which was sent in this launch landed safely and alive and this is a big step for our experts and scientists." Iranian state television showed still pictures of the capsule and of a monkey being fitted with a vest and then placed in a device similar to a child's car-seat. A previous attempt in 2011 by the Islamic republic to put a monkey into space failed. No official explanation was ever given. A defence ministry statement quoted by Iranian media said earlier Iran had "successfully launched a capsule, codenamed Pishgam (Pioneer), containing a monkey and recovered the shipment on the ground intact". Iran announced in mid-January its intention to launch a monkey into orbit as part of "preparations for sending a man into space," which is scheduled for 2020. Iran's space programme deeply unsettles Western nations, which fear it could be used to develop ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads they suspect are being developed in secret. The same technology used in space launch rockets can also be used in ballistic missiles. The Security Council has imposed on Iran an almost total embargo on nuclear and space technologies since 2007. Tehran has repeatedly denied that its nuclear and scientific programmes mask military ambitions. Iran's previous satellite launches were met by condemnation from the West who accused Tehran of "provocation." The Islamic republic has previously sent a rat, turtles and worms into space. It has also successfully launched three satellites -- Omid in February 2009, Rassad in June 2011 and Navid in February 2012. In mid-May last year, Tehran announced plans to launch an experimental observation satellite Fajr (Dawn) within a week but it did not happen and Iran gave no explanation for the delay. The Fajr satellite was presented by Iranian officials as "an observation and measurement" satellite weighing 50 kilos (110 pounds), built by Sa-Iran, a company affiliated to the defence ministry. - AFP/ir

Wanna shoot video? Pay royalties

http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sg...ck_a_fight.html Though not necessarily a sinkie this time....

'Don't make me chop you' -- that was the chilling caption scrawled on a photo of a teen posing with a weapon which STOMPer Kor Kung came across online. This is the fourth such incident of a youth posing with a weapon that has surfaced online recently. Previously, a youth in uniform pretended to behead his schoolmate with a sword, a guy posed with a samurai sword and two youths who were seen with a parang in the MRT were arrested. Said the STOMPer via email (Dec 15): "Another gangster wannabe-teen poses with weapon on Facebook. "Saw this teen with a weapon which I came across on the social networking site. "...Really daring. "Plus his message on the picture gave me chills. "I have no idea why he posted a picture of himself posing with a weapon. "Maybe he wants to be famous? "Or maybe he's just trying to act tough."

Chance upon this old video and had a good laught

This season's EPL is very "kan cheong" with 3 teams fighting till the end. Chelsea is leading the pack with a 1-0 victory over Bolton and I'm sure ManU is feeling sore from the draw with Blackburn. Don't write off Arsenal who has a game in hand over ManU and we shall see tonight if Red Nose monkey's team is going to slip to 3rd! Good work Man C, you have the fighting spirit to slug it out for 4th spot. Tottenham is goner and I'm pretty sure HR is going to dump the game against you-know-who. What a season!

Anyone got scratches from monkeys at Autobacs? Saw a Merc which got badly scratched after parking at the parking lot toward the end of autobacs...poor guy not sure if can claim insurance, maybe classified under "act of monkeys"

I came across this a few weeks ago. It is hilarious Tiger and Monkey

Punch people max fine $1k. Feed monkey max fine $50k??? http://www.straitstimes.com/print/Latest%2...ory_199271.html Jan 23, 2008 Cabby fined for punching another A CABBY who punched a motorist over a driving incident was given the maximum fine of $1,000 on Wednesday. See Kian Wah, 67, pleaded guilty to punching Mr See Leng Beng, 57, twice on his face along Joo Chiat Road on Sept 21 last year. Mr See was driving along Joo Chiat Road that evening when he approached See at the junction over a driving incident. See then punched the victim and then left. http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2BNews/...ory_199269.html Jan 23, 2008 Cook fined $4,000 for feeding monkeys This is the stiffest fine ever handed out by a court By Elena Chong A MAN has been fined $4,000 for feeding monkeys in a Mandai nature reserve, the steepest fine ever handed out for the offence. Panneerselvam Arunasalam, a cook, admitted in court on Tuesday to feeding the animals bread in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, on Aug 5, 2007. A park ranger spotted the 46-year-old feeding the monkeys in the Mandai sanctuary, near Old Upper Thomson Road. There are signboards warning against the feeding of moneys at the nature reserve. Pressing for a stiff sentence on Tuesday, National Parks Board prosecutor M. Maniam told the court that feeding of moneys in nature reserve endangered the safety of humans and animals. 'It alters the monkeys' natural behaviour adversely as it makes them reliant on humans for food instead of foraging for food on their own in the forest,' he said. Relying on humans for food 'domesticates' them. They also tend to behave more boldly and aggressively towards humans, especially children, he added. Also, it increases the monkey population, brings them closer to roads in search of food and increases the risk of collisions with motor vehicles. Mr Maniam said NParks takes a serious view of such feeding at nature reserves. Although steps have been taken to advise visitors not to feed them, visitors and members of the public continue to do so. There have also been recent media reports highlighting the danger and discouraging members of the public from feeding these animals. Mr Maniam on Tuesday said feeding of monkeys is becoming more prevalent. In 2006 there were 142 cases and last year, 14 more. Eighteen people have been convicted over the two year period. Mr Maniam sought a $5,000 fine for Pannelselvasm to send a clear and strong message that such acts should not be allowed or condoned. Pannerselvam could have been fined up to $50,000 or jailed for up to six months or both.

http://youngjedi.typepad.com/my_weblog/200...tory-of-mo.html

Found this very heart wrenching chinese posting. http://www.mumoo.com/cowshed/ShowPost7350.html

hey bros. i suddenly have this love for monkeys. but not those at pierce reservoir 1 lah. i meant those quality small monkey that won't grow big. i think if it's properly trained and intelligent. if will be better den keeping a dog which i have headache on keeping 1 currently. i know it's illegal. if get caught hw much must or kong. it's also like modding exhausts and turbo at home mar. heng or shui only lor. den sometime bring him go disco also nvm. can wear clothes. haa.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mk_z6ERp9c