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The latest to pitch in at Fukushima will be wild monkeys, according to a report in the Telegraph. Wild monkeys living in the area of the Fukushima nuclear plant will be fitted with collars containing radiation meters and GPS transmitters to aid in the study of contamination in the region. The project is to be conducted by researchers at Fukushima University.
The hope is that scientists will be able to monitor radiation levels throughout a wide area, including forest areas. One reason the monkeys were chosen, according to researchers, was that their travel patterns are well known and are a strong match for monitoring needs. Current mounting is being conducted from their air, most often from helicopters, according to the report. Scientists, however, want to monitor radiation levels from the frost floor and treetops, allowing them to study forest habitats and contamination exposure for various wildlife in the area.
The project, however, is only a temporary gig for the monkeys. Once the project is complete, the collars will detach by remote control.
What do you think of using monkeys at Fukushima?
Photo: Monkey, by foilman/Henry Burrows via Flickr