In Pont-Scorff, the new life of laboratory monkeys [Vidéo] – Brittany

Kiwi, pineapple, a few raspberries and, above all, very juicy clementines. Without taking their eyes off their visitors for the day, the monkeys feast in silence. They even ask for more. “Like children, they prefer sweet things. But we’re going slowly because it’s not good for their teeth,” says Mathieu Châtaigner, the caretaker in charge of primates at Terres de Nataé. In front of him, four crab-eating macaques, recognizable by their long tails and their strong character. “They are always trying to quibble. They have already stolen a padlock from me”, smiles the trainer.

They were just numbers

These are the youngest of the animal park of Pont-Scorff, arrived at the beginning of October from a laboratory. Even if it’s not obvious. “They are in great shape and not at all marked by what they have been through. The only thing that reminds us of their past is their tattoos”, specifies Mathieu. Until now, these four young males were only numbers, used by the pharmaceutical industry and promised to be euthanized. The Lands of Natae will give them a first name

and a new life.

((Photo The Lands of Natae/Julien Dujardin))

“We want to offer them a happy and serene continuation of life”

Croquettes, eggs, insects, vegetables, branches, leaves, crab-eating macaques eat everything. But they have a weakness for fruit. The four collected in Pont-Scorff are however not fans of fish. ((Photo The Lands of Natae/Julien Dujardin))

Karine Ferri “godmother of heart”

“For the moment, they are indoors because we have taken them in urgently, but we are going to dedicate a nice space to them with a modular aviary allowing the new ones to be isolated, while they acclimatise, and a basin so that they can bathe. Significant work will be carried out. Cost of the project: approximately 220,000 euros. The Lands of Nataé have already collected more than half of this sum. “Le Graal will help us, as well as a company from the Lorient conurbation. For the remaining 100,000 euros, we will turn to laboratories, Breton companies and individuals”. They can also count on TF1 host Karine Ferri, who agreed to be the godmother of this operation: “When I learned that the Terres de Nataé, a park-refuge close to where we live, in this case, I was very touched. I am happy to be able to support them.”