For years the Beijing Zoo has been struggling to stop visitors from feeding noodles to its monkeys - and keepers say it's affecting their health.
Recent photos and videos show visitors of all ages ignoring posted signs and sneaking the long noodles to eager recipients.
Employees said the pasta problem began in 2016 after the zoo switched out bars for glass in their enclosures.?
"In recent years, many zoos switched from cages to glass enclosures in order to prevent visitors from passing food to the animals," explained a Beijing Zoo employee.?
"But at the bottom of the glass, there are small air holes about several millimeters wide. Some people came up with the idea to slip them uncooked noodles through these holes."
While tasty, this is bad news for the spider monkeys, surilis, golden snub-nosed monkeys and other plant-eating primates at the zoo.
Employees warn that the steady diet of starches can cause them indigestion, diarrhea and even death.
"Noodles, bread, cookies are high in carbohydrates and very difficult for them to digest," said the employee. "[These primates] are herbivores and their bodies contain microbes that help break down fibers to extract nutrients. But high-calorie or carbohydrate foods kill these microbes. If they eat too much… it could be fatal."
