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["Adam Thorsell" <athorsell AT meditech.com>]

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/strange/news-article.aspx?storyid=37586

Japanese in Hot Pursuit of Roaming Monkey

TOKYO (AP) -- Japanese officials are struggling to capture a rogue monkey 
roaming the streets of Tokyo. Believed to be a Japanese macaque that has come 
out of the wild, the monkey has been sighted at least 11 times since April 30 
perched atop roofs, telephone poles and scampering among trees in backyards.

Though it has caused little damage - yet - police and animal welfare 
officials are in hot pursuit of the monkey, which has been traversing some of 
the capital's most densely populated neighborhoods.

"It's a bit of a problem. The animal welfare staff is trained to catch dogs 
but not monkeys," said Tokyo city official Hiroyuki Satsuke.

In rural Japan, the macaques - an endangered species - have been known to 
attack and bite humans. The average adult weighs about 33 pounds and stands 
about two feet tall, but their thick fur can make them appear much larger.

Teaching staff ushered children to safety when the monkey entered an 
elementary school in Tokyo's Kita ward on May 2, Satsuke said. The Asahi 
newspaper quoted a priest at a nearby temple who saw the monkey scattering 
flowers left on graves.

"We just can't seem to locate it ... but there is a possibility it could 
cause physical damage," said a National Police Agency spokesman.

It was not clear why the animal may have wandered into the city, officials 
said.






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