Date: 2/14/01    Publication: The Nation        Section: National 

        Monkey Nut 

AUTHORITIES are urging tourists not to feed open coconuts to
monkeys after a monkey in the Chon Buri resort of Khao Sam
Mook town spent a second day with its head stuck in a coconut
shell. 

The Thai language Khao Sot daily said rescuers had tried but
failed to free the monkey following a news report on Monday
describing the animal's predicament. 

The monkey was spotted by a group of food sellers who tried but
failed to get it out of its head bond. "I tried to free the
monkey's head but I couldn't because its companions became
hostile," said one of the women selling food to tourists. 

Police officers and volunteers were combing the area for the
animal yesterday. Alongkorn Mahannanop, veterinary director of
Bangkok's Dusit Zoo, said he and his crew had been unable to
locate the animal. 

Tour guide Thawanchot Mahachok said he had seen five monkeys die
after getting stuck in a similar way. 

Authorities said the monkey was trying to finish the leftover
flesh in an open coconut when his head got caught in the shell. 


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Updated: May 1, 1998