Japanese city to fine monkey feeders

OSAKA, Japan, May 6 (UPI) -- Individuals in the Japanese city of Osaka who feed the city's macaque monkey population may face fines of up to $101, authorities say.

The Yomiuri Shimbun said Wednesday the Minoo municipal government is attempting to implement a ban on feeding the Japanese macaques in an attempt to control the excessive growth of the monkey species population in Osaka.

The macaque population, while designated a protected species, has reached nearly 600 monkeys, a population deemed far beyond suitable wildlife figures.

A research committee of experts tabbed 200 macaque monkeys as the ideal population for the animals' feeding group in Osaka amid concerns the wild animals may expand their habitat or split into subgroups.

The newspaper said the monkey population's growth has been blamed in part on the treats offered to the animals by tourists in Osaka.

The proposed ban and related fines should be submitted to the city assembly in September with a possible implementation date sometime in April 2010.