http://www.extratv.com/cmp/spotlight/1999/09_08c.htm
Wednesday September 8, 1999
Monkey Business
Some say this woman has crossed the bounds of decency in her crusade to save
an animal's life. As EXTRA reports, Carol Cope's passion for primates knows
no limits.
Carol Cope, who runs an animal sanctuary in majestic Durbin, South Africa
has dedicated her life to saving Vervet monkeys and gets very close to these
animals. One particular baby monkey was nursed by Carol's own breast. That's
right, she breastfed a monkey. Carol says it was the same as breastfeeding a
baby, no different and there was nothing perverted about it.
But though these monkeys look cute and exotic to us, in South Africa
they're seen as pests, especially by farmers protecting their crops. People
shoot them, poison them, and put out snares to catch them. So Carol takes in
about 50 wounded monkeys a year. But Mr. Chook, the baby monkey that Carol
nursed, was a special case. His mom was shot dead as he was being born. When
he arrived at the sanctuary, he was near death because he wouldn't eat
anything not even milk from a bottle. Then he went for Carol's breast and
wasn't stopped. So she had an inspiration, but at 49 breastfeeding seemed
unlikely. Then her doctor prescribed a non-addictive antidressent with an
amazing side effect.it stimulates the production of breast milk. Within a
day Carol began nursing "Mr. Chook." And she wasn't shy about it either. So
as you can imagine, some of Carol's neighbors weren't too thrilled. But
Carol knew she was saving a monkey's life. Carol and her partner Dawn cook
for the other 17 monkeys and it's not easy. The duo even allows their
primates to harass their traditional pets. And yes, they even dance with
their monkeys. To find out more about Carol and Dawn's Animal Protection and
Environment Sanctuary and how you can help, write to: APES, P.O. Box 660
Amanzimtoti, 4125, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Cindy Curtis,RN,IBCLC
mailto:[log in to unmask]
http://www.erols.com/cindyrn
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