Lucy the Sulawesi Crested Macaque

My favourite Christmas present this year was Lucy. I was given her as an adoption gift from London Zoo. She is a Sulawesi Crested Macaque and although she has a rather stocky ape like appearance she is actually a monkey. Latin name Macaca nigra meaning 'black monkey' , these macaques are endangered. I don't know what her real name is but I have called her Lucy which seems to suit her. The downside of adoption is that she isn't allowed to come and stay ;o). I was rather disturbed to read on the Internet that they are still hunted for meat by the Sulawesi locals and that they are such a delicacy that they are often served up on Christmas day!

You can read more about the London Zoo Animal Adoption Scheme here:
http://www.londonzoo.co.uk/adoptions/adopt.html