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Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Plague-Infected Squirrels Now Targeting Monkeys

Could humans be next? This recent report raises the question:
    The plague found in squirrels in the City Park area has killed a hooded capuchin monkey at the Denver Zoo.

    The 8-year-old monkey probably ate an infected squirrel before dying Wednesday, senior veterinarian David Kenny said Monday.

    The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's lab confirmed the plague.

    Kenny and state epidemiologist John Pape both said the risk to humans remains extremely low, and there is no reason not to visit parks or the zoo.

    The best thing to do is simply avoid contact with squirrels, and that includes not feeding them, said Pape.
It is not yet clear if the squirrel in question was on a suicide mission, but we must continue to remain vigilant.

4 comments:

  1. They're obviously testing their biological weaponry on monkeys before taking it to the humans! Just for clarification, was this perpetrated by the radical Red Squirrel Faction by the Gray Squirrel Republican Army, or by some sinister union of the two?

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  2. Intelligence is a bit sketchy on that.

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  3. I'm almost positive the squirrels trying to eat all the seed out of my bird feeder are eye ballin' me. I bought a slingshot- I'll keep you posted.

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  4. Thanks for taking a proactive approach to this ever-increasing threat. (And thanks for the reciprocal link!) Just be careful. We've already been the victims of a home invasion.

    Oh, and, uh...I wouldn't eat anything you shoot. You aren't missing anything. They taste like chicken.

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