00:00It's baby monkey season in Launceston's City Park, but for the last time, after the Launceston
00:08Council voted to end breeding by sterilising the male macaques.
00:12We understand that the enclosure that they have, 27 I believe, there could be one in
00:19labour right now, it was 25 on Monday, it was 24 Monday, 25 Tuesday, and perhaps even
00:26more today, so I think that speaks to what exactly is occurring in this monkey enclosure.
00:32The Council's primate keeper says it's not possible to bring genetic diversity to the
00:36troop because it's illegal to import Japanese macaques.
00:39It means the monkeys are inbreeding, which is leading to health issues.
00:42In the 18 months I have been here, I have seen signs of genetic depression in the troop
00:48and records previously state that it's been happening for a fair while.
00:54As difficult as this decision may be for us to do today, we've had really good, clear
01:01advice in regards to what is the best for monkeys in that troop going forward.
01:07The motion to sterilise the monkeys passed with only one councillor voting against it.
01:11I'm just hoping that we don't rush in.
01:13Some of the decisions that we make, once they're made, they might not be reversible.
01:20The monkeys are expected to be around for another 25 or so years, when the Launceston
01:25institution will come to an end.
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