Zoo bans monkeys from eating bananas - because they're unhealthy

Zookeepers have swapped high-sugar fruit for vegetables

Monkeys eating bananas is 'equivalent of cake and chocolate for humans'

Change has improved animals' behavior, appearance and health



Monkeys at Paignton Zoo have had their bananas swapped for green, leafy vegetables

A zoo has banned its monkeys from eating bananas – after nutritionists said it was the equivalent of humans eating cake and chocolate.

Amy Plowman, head of conservation at Paignton Zoo in Devon, said: ‘People usually try to improve their diet by eating more fruit, but fruit cultivated for humans is much higher in sugar and much lower in protein and fibre than most wild fruit.

‘Giving this fruit to animals is equivalent to giving them cake and chocolate.



'It can also cause gastrointestinal problems as their stomachs are mostly adapted to eating fibrous foods with very low digestibility.’

Instead the monkeys are being given vegetables. ‘Lots of them, especially leafy green veg,’ said Dr Plowman.

Dr Plowman said it had not been too hard to wean the monkeys off bananas for a less sugary diet.



'We reduced the amounts slowly so they had a long period to get accustomed to their new diet,' she said.

'They didn’t get a choice but - unlike children - they couldn’t complain.

'The alternative is vegetables and lots of them, especially leafy green veg. We still use starchy root veg.



'But we have reduced amounts as it can still be quite high in sugar and other readily-digestible carbohydrate.



'Leafy green veg is great because it is high in protein, fibre and lots of vitamins and minerals.'



The change has not only led to improvement in physical health, but also behaviour.

A specialist pellet feed gives them the correct balance of nutrients, while small amounts of cooked brown rice can be scattered around enclosures to encourage foraging.

Zookeepers say the animal's behavior and appearance have improved as well as them being able to notice changes in health



The animals who are looked after at Paignton Zoo in Devon still receive bananas as occasional treats

Dr Plowman said: 'Putting it in a piece of banana works really well, as it’s such a treat now.'

Paignton Zoo’s fruit-free diet is bringing improvements in physical health and changes in some behaviours.

Senior head keeper Matthew Webb said: ' We have noticed an improvement in the condition of primate coats - in particular the colour and thickness of the fur of the Sulawesi crested black macaques.



‘Smaller monkeys such as tamarins and marmosets are highly-strung animals.



'Reducing the sugar in their diets has calmed them down and made their groups more settled.’