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[gregory nahas <lettherebemonkeys AT yahoo.com>]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=817&ncid=757&e=10&u=/ap/20040413/ap_on_fe_st/monkey_cataracts

Monkey Undergoes Cataract Surgery 

BUFFALO, N.Y. - For a nocturnal animal that lives high
in the treetops, being able to see is no small matter.


So on Monday, a monkey at the Buffalo Zoo underwent
double cataract surgery to restore part of his vision.


Phantom, a 4-year-old douroucouli, got the vision back
in one eye after Dr. Kimberly Stanz replaced the
damaged lens with an artificial one. There was too
much scar tissue in the other eye to attach a new
lens. 

By midafternoon, Phantom was back in the zoo's rain
forest display, shaking off his sedative and able to
see for the first time in months. 

It is unknown why the animal developed cataracts last
fall. Zoo veterinarian Frank Ridgley said that because
Cajun, a sister of Phantom, also had cataracts and
underwent the same surgery several years ago, "it's
probably a genetic predisposition." 

Restoring the animal's sight will allow its future
transfer to another zoo as part of the global species
protection program. 

Nocturnal douroucoulis, also known as night monkeys,
are endangered in Panama because of severe habitat
loss, so it is up to zoos to replenish the population
through breeding programs. 

Phantom is one of six douroucoulis living at the zoo.
The animals, 22 to 30 inches long, including tail, and
weighing 1.3 to 2.2 pounds, are native to South
America. 
___ 

Information from: The Buffalo News,
http://www.buffalonews.com 







        
                
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