Photograph by Eric Kilby
Zookeepers at Paignton Zoo have banned its monkeys from eating bananas because they are unhealthy.
People think of bananas as a major part of a monkey diet, but in the wild monkeys eat a wide variety of foods including different fruits, leaves, gums, insects, and sometimes other monkeys.
Whilst eating bananas in moderation along with other foods is perfectly healthy, animal nutritionists at Paignton Zoo in Devon have put their monkeys on a health kick and that includes no more sugary bananas.
Head of Conservation and Advocacy Dr Amy Plowman, who is also an animal nutrition expert, said:
“People usually try to improve their diet by eating more fruit – but fruit cultivated for humans is much higher in sugar and much lower in protein and fibre than most wild fruit because we like our fruit to be so sweet and juicy. Giving this fruit to animals is equivalent to giving them cake and chocolate.”
A monkey diet in the zoo will now consist of lots of green leafy vegetables, and leafy branches, as well as specialised monkey pellets. Zookeepers also sprinkle small amounts of cooked brown rice around enclosures to encourage foraging.
Bananas are only now on offer to monkeys that are unwell, and zookeepers need to make sure that they take their medication, which now works even better as it is more of a treat!
