ARIZONA, USA - "News” from Arizona that the Mesa Police Department is seeking some specialized assistance in the form of a “SWAT Monkey.” Before you laugh too hard, the department has actually submitted a grant proposal to the federal government for $100,000 to fund the purchase, outfitting and training of a
capuchin monkey for the Mesa SWAT team.
The “vision”:
Weighing only 3 to 8 pounds with tiny humanlike hands and puzzle-solving skills, Truelove said it could unlock doors, search buildings, and find suicide victims on command. Dressed in a Kevlar vest, video camera, and two-way radio, the small monkey would be able to get into places no officer or robot could go.
A question presents itself: Why would a monkey need a two-way radio?
“Mr. Chips, go find the suicide victim!”
“Oooooh Oooooooh Aaaaaaaah Aaaaaaaah!”
It has been over a year since the grant application was filed, and Officer Truelove is anxiously awaiting a response. If the grant goes through, Truelove plans on learning how to train the monkey himself and keeping the sociable monkey at home, just like a K-9 officer would.
Nothing warms the heart like a man and his monkey.
by Jeremy Weidenhof [via lonestartimes.com]
SOFIA, Bulgaria - Customs officers at Sofia airport have confiscated two monkeys as they were about to be taken out of the country. The papers of the animals weren't in order, as the necessary certificates by the Environment Ministry were missing, BNR reported. The monkeys were placed under quarantine in the rescue centre of Sofia Zoo. Once the quarantine period is up, they will be placed in the zoo, together with others of their kind...read more »
