MONKEYS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Monkeys were here, there, and everywhere at the Oregon National Primate Research Center at OHSU in Beaverton, where RFH Roots & Shoots learned about the 4300 monkeys that are bred and used for biomedical research there. We were led on a tour that described some of the research they do, such as trying to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes, addiction research, and stem cell research. (Learn more about all the types of research on their website.) Then we made enrichment toys for the monkeys by putting foods like fruit, veggies, peanut butter, and honey into gadgets. That's what we are doing in these photos. We were not allowed to take photos of the monkeys, but you can see some here. We watched the monkeys work to get the food out of the gadgets, which is their enrichment, because in the wild they would have to work to get their food. The monkeys played, ate, and REALLY liked popcorn and stealing food from each other. This was both an interesting and enlightening project. It was rewarding to contribute to the well-being of the monkeys, but much of the research at the center is controversial, like researching the effects of nicotine on pregnant monkeys. Our group will meet on July 5th to reflect and discuss this project and other projects we have done.
- by Sammi, youth leader