World's Fattest Monkey Spotted

From plastic eating worms; to morbidly obese monkeys;
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Guard Duty
Around springtime, grey whales and their calves make their annual migration to Mexico from Alaska. But this year experts have noticed that a pod of Orcas -- or killer whales -- has been stalking the grey calves off Monterey Bay in California. While the calves prove to be an irresistible treat for the Orcas, it turns out they have an unexpected savior: Humpback whales. They’ve been seen in a patrolling group doing what they can do deter the Orcas … rushing in to stop an attack on the calves whenever it occurs. In a still taken from video shot by the Monterey Bay Whale Watch, you can see a pod of Orcas on the left and the grey calves toward the right of the picture. Experts aren’t entirely sure why the humpbacks have assumed the role of protecting the calves. Because Orcas are known to prey on the calves of humpbacks, there might be a natural enmity toward the killer whales. Or it might have to do with the humpbacks simply trying to push their predators out of the area. What do you think?

Plastic Diet
Did you know that caterpillars have an appetite for plastic bags? Measuring about an inch, the wax worm is also known as the honey worm … that’s because it’s often found inside beehives chowing down on waxy, gooey honeycombs. Scientists have recently discovered that the insects also like to feast on polyethylene (pol-ee-ETH-uh-leen) -- the tough plastic that is commonly used in shopping bags and food packaging … and is considered decidedly non-edible. But the caterpillars can metabolize the plastic into a compound that can biodegrade rapidly. In a picture from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), you can see one of the insects chewing holes in the green plastic … the yellowish matter dusting its body is debris from the plastic. Experts think the unusual trait might have to do with their ability to digest beeswax. If the insects produce an enzyme to degrade the plastic while they consume it, researchers might be able to isolate it and produce it on an industrial scale. That’s significant because the most durable polyethylene products can take up to 400 years to decompose.

Tajiri (tah-JEER-ee)
That word is Swahili for “hope” or “confidence” … and it’s also the name of the male baby giraffe delivered recently at Animal Adventure Park in New York -- although he’s called “Taj” for short. You can see the young giraffe with his mother April in the picture from the park itself. Since Taj still appears a bit unsteady on his feet, April seems to be leaning over to offer him some support. Of course, April’s pregnancy became an Internet sensation, as viewers around the world kept track of her condition via a live cam in the animal’s enclosure. You might have joined more than a million people who were watching when Taj was born … witnessing the delivery in full detail. At birth he already weighed around 129 pounds and stood 5 ft 9 inches tall. While the live giraffe cam was taken down, park officials say a new yard cam will be set up soon so that viewers can be reunited with April and Taj..

Chunky Monkey
Macaque (muh-KAK) monkeys normally weigh around 15 pounds. But a specimen found in Thailand tips the scales at some 33 pounds! This morbidly obese creature has been nicknamed “Uncle Fatty” by locals near the floating market where he lives. In the photo from the Viral Press, it’s pretty easy to see what has caused his condition. The primate is surrounded by food like sweet corn and various melons … and appears to be finishing off a carton of milk as the picture was taken. How did he gain so much weight? Experts say that it’s not unusual for animals living in close proximity to humans to acquire our bad habits … that includes overeating. In Uncle Fatty’s case, tourists who frequent the area often like to watch the critter eat. So they freely give him treats like noodles, milkshakes, and the aforementioned corn and fruits. The monkey eagerly takes advantage of the food and chows down. Combined with a lack of exercise, the consumption of sugary and fatty foods has led to an excessive gain of weight. But experts have stepped in to help the portly primate. Uncle Fatty has been moved 100 miles away to a wildlife center. He’ll be given a healthier diet, and an exercise regimen to help him shed the pounds.

[kayta]

Thank You Epic Wildlife! You're videos got me through 8 hours of an in laws wedding

[danieltonk]

Thanks for this Epic Wildlife channel, so much knowledge I get

[Caitibug]

My Toddler loves the Animal based videos. Good Job keep up the good work!

[williamhutchinson]

love your videos guys, been subscribed for ages now. My exams don't seem so scary after watching, thanks for helping me tackle my A-levels (UK Exams)

[mybackhurts]

You ever get this feeling that humans don't belong on this planet?

[slicketysockety]

I have recently become a marine biologist and don't know how to work YouTube so I am using my sons acount . I have subscribed a thank you for making these excellent videos they have been giving me great information on most of the sea animals. Thank you

[edwynchoi]

he wasn't spotted, he was 3xp0s3d

[hitmangaming]

what ever happened to the original guy. I stopped watching this chanel for a while. so when I came back he was gone. what happened? answer pls.

[P-ip]

Love the videos, interesting and amazing.

[brianstevens]

on 3 why not raise them in bag farms and sell for fish food and bait

[cristianalfaro]

why do humans ruin everything they come across...

[theultimateninja]

pretty dissapointed i didnt see fat money video :/

[zillchy]

I live like 20 minutes away from monterey.

[Horncomet]

Hi How long does the research take to make a video depending how much facts are in it

[privateghost]

"tajiri" means rich in kiswahili

[Jo_WillowingSpirit]

Mother nature has a way of fixing our blunders, like plastic bags, if we only look long enough and hard enough for her solutions to our....(ahem) baggage.

[annielangridge]

Omg I hope & pray this poor monkey has an extremely longer & healthier life once it's been put on to a healthy diet & exercise program to regain a much more healthier weight as if that poor monkey had been left the way it was it would most certainly have died a lot sooner rather than later god bless it. 🐵🐒🐵

[jscotthatcher]

i'd love to work on a wildlife reserve. especially one for elephants or penguins.