7-2-2007

I grew up in Beaverton and still live there today. I have driven the area of Walker and 185th more times than I can fathom and NEVER in my wildest dreams did I imagine that, nestled between an Applebees and a Parr Lumber, there sits the home of some 250+ Macaque monkeys.

Sure enough . . . at the OHSU Primate Research Center, hundreds of these furry guys roam around in an outdoor enclosure that rivals any zoo setup I've seen. Lush green grass . . . climbing trees and platforms . . . . sprinklers . . . . it's like the Plaza of monkey houses.

I got a chance to check the place out at the 34th birthday party of Trapper . . . the former dominant male of the troop (34 is the human equivalent of 102).

The monkeys live in an enclosure where scientists study their behavior (Trapper has not been subjected to drug tests or experiments according to Kris Coleman who heads the Behavioral Studies section). And yes . . . she technically IS a Keeper of Trapper . . . or Trapper Keeper for short (insert rim shot here)


For the birthday party, the 250 monkeys were treated to birthday cakes made of Jello and Whip Cream . . . a few popcorn balls and fresh bamboo. The bamboo was the biggest hit of the day while the banana shaped pinata drew little interest (and no, I'm not kidding on that last one . . . .they really had a giant banana shaped pinata . . . I'm ordering one of my own for my next birthday).

Side notes: The guest of honor laid low for most of his party, preferring to stake out a spot on one of the prime trees while his guests dove (literally) into the treats.

250 monkeys . . . in a several hundred square foot enclosure . . . in the July sun . . . it's an aroma you cannot imagine.