[CH] Monkey Repellent

Ashkenaz, Scott (Scott.Ashkenaz@kla-tencor.com)
Wed, 1 Jul 1998 10:24:14 -0700

http://www.mercurycenter.com/premium/world/docs/japan30.htm

Published Wednesday, July 1, 1998, in the San Jose Mercury News 

Hot idea to fight monkeys'
munching

TOKYO (AP) -- After years of unsuccessful attempts at keeping
crop-eating monkeys out of the fields, a Tokyo research team says
finally it may have found a solution: red-hot chile peppers.

The team has successfully produced a new weapon that shoots chile
powder up into the air, irritating the eyes and noses of hapless
monkeys that pass in front of carefully placed sensors.

``We've tried electrified wires, fences and all kinds of other preventive
measures, but monkeys are smart enough to outwit the tricks,''
Toshiaki Wada, director of the Tokyo Forestry Experiment Station in
western Tokyo, said Monday.

The monkeys are blamed for pilfering $468,500 worth of produce in
1996.

Among the monkeys' favorite vegetables are young horseradish,
potatoes, turnips and carrots.