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 *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html