Launceston council to sterilise iconic Japanese macaques

Japanese monkeys gifted to a local council in 1981 will be sterilised and left to die naturally following a vote this week.

Japanese monkeys living in Launceston will be prevented from reproducing due to concerns of disease and inbreeding within the group.

For more than 40 years, visitors to Launceston’s City Park have been able to view the macaques frolicking about in an enclosure.

But by 20250 it is expected there will be no monkeys left in the park.

In 2000, it was revealed the herpes B virus had spread through the monkeys, although previous discussions of euthanising the troop were politically unpopular.

The monkeys which given to Launceston by Japanese sister city Ikeda in 1981. Picture: City of Launceston

Now there are increasing concerns about a lack of genetic diversity within the group.

The City of Launceston has decided to desex the male members of the macaque troop to prevent the animals from breeding.

It is expected that the desexing of the troop will take two years to complete.

The council said while it was grateful to receive the monkeys, by today’s standards they would not keep these animals in an enclosure.

They also said it was important to take into consideration the needs of the monkeys and the greater community.

On Thursday afternoon, a council meeting voted 10-1 in favour of sterilisation, after hearing there were signs of miscarriages and stillbirths in the troop.

Japanese macaques play about in Launceston's City Park. Picture: City of Launceston

“We know the Launceston community cares very much about the welfare of the City Park monkeys,” Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood said.

“That’s a sentiment that’s also very much shared by both councillors and staff.

“The inability to introduce new genetic stock and the serious impacts on their health and wellbeing means we need to begin to consider the future of the troop.

“[The] decision was a difficult one, but it prioritises the welfare of the monkey troop so we can keep them as healthy and happy as possible for as long as possible.

Mr Garwood said he would write to the mayor of Ikeda following the decision.

Councillor Andrea Dawkins said if the city was offered this same opportunity today the city would be unlikely take it.

“There is a lot of interest in these monkeys as there should be because there is so much interest in the way humans react with animals and we take it for granted they are a part of our lives,” she said.

“Communities have changed and animals in captivity for the enjoyment of humans is some; thing we’ve moved through.”

Originally published as Launceston council to sterilise iconic Japanese macaques