Human Walking Monkey

18:04 2004-07-23

 

JERUSALEM -- Natasha -- a young monkey at an Israeli zoo -- is aping humans with her upright walk. And it's causing her veterinarian to scratch his head.

Zookeepers say 5-year-old Natasha has been walking exclusively on her hind legs since a near-death-experience with stomach flu.

Monkeys usually alternate between upright movement and walking on all fours.

A newspaper photo shows her standing ramrod straight like a human. The photo carries a caption that reads, "The Missing Link?".

The vet at the zoo clinic said he has never seen or heard of a monkey walking exclusively on its back legs, and speculates she may have suffered brain damage from the illness.

Otherwise, her behavior has returned to normal.

Other stories of interest relating to this topic;

Chimp once touted as missing link still sparks debate at 40
 

Walking in our footsteps
 

HOME