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[Carrie McLaren <carrie AT stayfreemagazine.org>]

Japanese mark Year of the Monkey by visiting baboons
( 2004-01-07 22:32) (Xinhua)
http://www1.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2004-01/07/content_296601.htm
What better way to start the Year of the Monkey than with baboons and 
gorillas?

About 18,000 people thronged Japan's largest monkey park during the 
first three days of 2004 -- the Year of the Monkey in the 12-sign 
zodiac used by several East Asian countries -- and park officials 
were thanking their calendars.

Attendance was up 76 percent from 2003, the Year of the Sheep.

"It's the monkey effect,'' said Shigenari Tsunoda, an official with 
the operator of the Japan Monkey Center, Meitetsu Impress. "That and 
clear weather combined for a good turnout.''

For those who needed an extra reason to see the simians, the park 
also offered free admission to those born in monkey years -- such as 
1992, 1980 and 1956.