Japanese Use Wild Monkeys To Track Radiation

PolygamousRanchKid writes "Scientists in Japan are taking a novel approach to measuring the impact of radiation in a forest affected by the Fukushima nuclear crisis: enlisting the help of local wild monkeys. Takayuki Takahashi, a professor of robotic technology at Fukushima University, told CNN Wednesday his team was working on a collar fitted with a dosimeter to measure radiation levels that could be fitted to the monkeys before they are released back into the wild. Takahashi said the experiment would help researchers understand how radiation in the forest can affect human beings, as well as wild animals. While human scientists have been monitoring radiation levels from the air, the use of monkey 'assistants' will give them a clearer idea of conditions on the ground."

Comments

I think I've seen the movie

[FairAndHateful]

Isn't this kind of where King Kong comes from?

Where have I heard this story before?

[MrEricSir]

Where have I heard this story before? Monkeys, nuclear radiation...

Oh yeah, every Japanese monster movie ever made!

So, no Shakespeare then?

[PopeAlien]

I'm guessing if they gave them a room full of a million typewriters they'd actually just scream and hurl feces.

That's probably what I'd do too.

Re:So, no Shakespeare then?

[ozmanjusri]

if they gave them a room full of a million typewriters they'd actually just scream and hurl feces. That's probably what I'd do too.

You win my vote for most concise explanation for Slashdot ever.

Re:Think of the [monkey] children!

[walkerp1]

Anyone else want to gather about 100 irradiated monkeys and send them to PETA for some tlc?

Ha! Old school

[dhungan]

Our wild monkeys track money. And rule us too.

wait until the radiation starts to affect them...

[Tastecicles]

...you know we're all fucked when the first one says "NO!"