Fergie's Tech Blog

Friday Monkey Blogging: Flatulent Gorillas Force Brussels Sprouts Off Zoo's Christmas Menu

As I mentioned last month, I have started a regularly recurring blog entry meme every Friday afternoon, inspired by Bruce Schneier's regular series of "Friday Squid Blogging" posts, and my very own maddening Monkey Theory.

Here is this week's installment.

Via The London Paper.

Zoo managers have taken Brussels sprouts off the Christmas menu after the vegetable caused an attack of flatulence in their gorillas.

The staff at Chessington Zoo fed the giant apes on the seasonal favourite as they are filled with nutritional goodness. However, they hadn't reckoned with the gassy qualities of the tiny veggies.

Now the zoo has issued an apology after guests at the zoo expressed their horror at the potent smell that started emanating from the gorillas' enclosure.

Gorilla keeper Michael Rozzi said: "We feed the gorillas brussel sprouts during the winter because they are packed with vitamin C and have great nutritional benefits."

"Unfortunately, an embarrassing side effect is that it can cause bouts of flatulence in humans and animals alike."

"However, I don't think any of us were prepared for a smell that strong."

posted by Fergie @ 12/19/2008 02:12:00 PM