Japan: Spider monkey killed by capybara in Hokkaido zoo display

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http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/national/news/20050905p2a00m0na003000c.html

 

Spider monkey killed by huge rodent in Hokkaido zoo display

 

A recently opened zoo display featuring spider monkeys and capybaras -- the

world's largest rodents -- backfired when a capybara bit one of the monkeys

and killed it, zoo officials announced.

 

The attack occurred in the " spider monkey-capybara " facility at Asahiyama

Zoo in Asahikawa at about 2 p.m. on Aug. 29, officials said. A spider monkey

in the cage reportedly entered a pool used by capybaras, and started

fighting with one of the capybaras in the water.

 

" It was an accident where they collided into each other, " a zoo official

said. " They probably appeared right in front of each other and panicked. "

 

Zoo workers said the spider monkey that was killed had been snatching grass

given to the capybara. They said feeding problems could have contributed to

the accident.

 

Asahiyama Zoo is known nationwide for its unique displays, and the number of

visitors to the zoo in July and August topped those of Ueno Zoo in Tokyo to

rank No. 1 in the country.

 

The spider monkey-capybara display opened on Aug. 7, featuring four spider

monkeys and two capybaras.

 

" There are no problems with them living together. The accident occurred at a

stage in which they were coming to understand each other, " an official in

charge of display said, indicating that it would continue.