Fitness is for everyone: ‘Uncle Fat’ on strict diet

An obese monkey placed on diet in Thailand after junk food binge

An obese monkey named ‘Uncle Fat’ by residents and tourists in Thailand has been placed in rehab, reported ABC News.

Uncle Fat weighs three times more than other macaques, around 26 kilogrammes [60 pounds] while other macaques weigh around nine kilogrammes. The monkey rapidly gained weight when he started to eat junk food and soft drinks given to him or left behind by tourists.

Wildlife officials caught the chunky monkey — nicknamed “Uncle Fat” — after photos of the animal started circulating on social media last month.

Veterinarian Supakan Kaewchot prepares fresh food for Uncle Fat at the Bangkok rehabilitation centre. PHOTO: ABC

“It was not easy to catch him,” said Kacha Phukem, the wildlife official who conducted the capture and rescue on 27 April. “He was the leader of his pack, and when I tried to go in, I had to fight off a flock of them with sticks.”



Supakarn Kaewchot, a veterinarian in charge of the monkey's diet said, "He had minions and other monkeys bringing food for him but he would also redistribute it to younger monkeys.”

It’s been less than a month since Uncle Fat was caught and placed in rehab, and while he is still overweight, wildlife officials plan to help him lose more pounds before releasing him back into the wild. Uncle Fat’s new diet is now 14oz of fruits and vegetables two times a day. Uncle Fat is now at a rehabilitation centre in Bangkok, where he will remain until he is back in shape.



“I understand that people feel sorry for the monkeys and want to feed them when they see them,” Supakarn requested people, “But please don't feed them food that people like such as snacks and soda. It is very bad for their health and the problem is entirely man-made.”