(Aust) Macaques face death if funding fails

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

 

$700,000 is needed to fund the enclosure to save some

macaques (primates) in Launceston [Tasmania, Australia] from euthanasia.

 

Funding for an enclosure for the macaques must be finalised within 2 weeks.

 

The macaques are infected with herpes B virus that

is potentially fatal to humans.

 

Please pass this item on to any Primate Organisations who

may be able to help.

 

Kind regards,

 

Marguerite (see below)

 

THE HOBART MERCURY

27/02

Georgia Warner

p11 Monkeys on death row.

 

The Launceston City Council last night failed to reach a decision on

the future of a macaque monkey colony infected

with the herpes B virus that is potentially fatal

to humans. The council was reluctant to proceed

with the costly establishment of a new enclosure

that would prevent the monkeys from passing the

virus to humans.

 

***************************************************

Apparently the Launceston council

has deferred the decision for 2 weeks.

 

The new enclosure will cost $700,000

and the council does not have the funds.

 

If the money is not found the monkeys

will be euthanased due to the health risk to humans.

 

There is some level of public fundraising going on but is very

unlikely to reach the $700,000 mark.

 

The " Primates for Primates " group has

been extremely vocal and the

" International Primate Protection Group " has

been involved too.

 

At the last count it seemed that the Launceston

City Council had resolved to

build the new enclosure and the matter

was ending on a positive note.

 

Subsequently, this press report is a little disappointing.

 

Maybe the Primate groups

need to consider raising funds to

subsidise the new enclosure.