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
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