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Diabetic monkey trained for daily insulin injections

A monkey which suffers from diabetes has trained itself to take daily
insulin injections.
 
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3525760/Diabetic-monkey-trained-for-daily-insulin-injections.html

By Richard Savill
Last Updated: 4:10PM GMT 26 Nov 2008

 George presents himself with his bottom in the air at 9am each day
Photo: FERRARI

George, a nine-year-old De Brazza monkey, knows when it is time for
its insulin and is a willing volunteer when its keeper enters its
enclosure each morning.

One of eight De Brazzas at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park in Ashford,
Kent, the animal leaves its troop and scampers across to welcome its
keeper.

"He presents himself at 9am, puts his bottom in the air, and has the
insulin," said Tricia Corkhill, a spokesman for the park. "Afterwards
he jumps up and wants his food."

Matt Crittenden, the monkey's keeper who is also a diabetic, said: "We
have been very lucky because he has trained himself.

"He knows he feels better after the injection so he comes in and
presents himself. We give him the injection and he goes again.

"No-one likes being stabbed with a needle but it is an incredibly
small needle and does not hurt a bit. It is just annoying."

    * Mr Crittenden added: "Now he is able to live a normal life, live
life to the full, just like a human can."

A second monkey at the park, Nancy, aged 12, is also suffering from
diabetes but is not such a willing patient. The Capuchin monkey has to
be separated from her siblings to receive her daily insulin.