- An obese monkey in Thailand has gained internet notoriety
- He gorges on food offered by tourists and weighs twice as much as normal monkeys
- Wildlife officials have transferred him to a "fat camp" to lose weight
An obese macaque monkey living around a Bangkok market in Thailand has gained internet notoriety.
The macaque, nicknamed "Uncle Fatty" weighs a whooping 15kg, twice as much as normal macaques his age.
He has a large distended stomach and gorges on food offered by tourists, usually maize, milkshake, watermelon and noodles.
The obese macaque in action
Tourists and visitors to the market grew concerned about his weight and alerted local wildlife officials.
Officials from a local monkey conservation group known "Monkey Lovers" captured him and took him for health checkups.
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Local monkey conservation officials say the macaque is not sick, just fat
One of the officials, Kawinoat MongKholte chaphat, told local reporters that the macaque is not sick but is just fat.
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Kawinoat said: "Uncle has got fat because he has just been eating everything that people give to him. He's not sick, he just needs help. He likes eating and there are lots of visitors and tourists who give him food all day."
"Uncle Fatty" can't stop eating
Wildlife authorities have reportedly transferred the macaque to a wildlife rescue center, which some refer colloquially to "fat camp," to lose weight.
He will reportedly be put on a strict diet and be encouraged to run and swing in the trees with other macaques to keep fit.
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"Uncle Fatty" has reportedly been taken to a fat camp to lose weight
See more in the video below.
Watch this video below: