"He called me a baboon, thinks I'm his wife!"
Posted on 03/25/2010 3:31:52 PM PDT by SJackson
JOHANNESBURG – Baboons, it seems, prefer pinot noir. They also like a nice chardonnay.
Largely undeterred by electric fences, hundreds of wild baboons in South Africa's prized wine country are finding the vineyards of ripe, succulent grapes to be an "absolute bonanza," said Justin O'Riain of the University of Cape Town.
Winemakers have resorted to using noisemakers and rubber snakes to try to drive the baboons off during harvest season.
"The poor baboons are driven to distraction," said O'Riain, who works in the university's Baboon Research Unit.
"As far as baboons are concerned, the combination of starch and sugar is very attractive — and that's your basic grape," he said.
Growers say the picky primates are partial to sweet pinot noir grapes, adding to the winemakers' woe: Pinot noir sells for more than the average merlot or cabernet sauvignon.
"They choose the nicest bunches, and you will see the ones they leave on the ground. If you taste them, they are sour," said Francois van Vuuren, farm manager at La Terra de Luc vineyards, 50 miles (80 kilometers) east of Cape Town. "They eat the sweetest ones and leave the rest."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Well, with my suggestion I was hoping that by just killing a few, the rest would get the hint. They are pretty smart.
Was this anywhere near that place that Mike Rowe of “Dirty Jobs” did that show with the crazy monkey lady, Dawn Magowan?
She was NUTZ!!! Mike and the rest of the shows crew were being attacked and bitten by all the crazy monkeys and SHE was treating like it was no big deal!
Here’s the youtube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPtqiyh6K94
Monkeys are nasty. Ick.
This is a bit disturbing, I must say. If they forage as far as St. James’ Gate in Dublin, Ireland where Guinness is brewed, ring me up. I’ll bring a platoon of 3/5 Marines with me.
Francis, himself
PS I gave up beer for Lent. It has been the longest Lent of my entire life...
Guinness isn’t made from grapes, so you’re safe. I’m sure they could use those Marines at the Sebeka winery, though!
Hang in there, FRiend - Lent is almost over!
Obviously these are very talented animals, since they so quickly find only the choicest and ripest grapes. They should be trained to do the harvesting.
Umm, baboons love a smoky Pinotage like Clemenza. Who would think that a cross between a Queen grape like Pinot Noir and a garbage grape like Cinsault would be so tasty and perfect for a South African Braai (barbecue).
Stay away from the reds from Algeria and Morocco.
If these things eat grapes, they may eat Hops. I’m having cold sweats just thinking about this. I need to make it through next week... [teeth chattering]
F
You could give yourself an Exception for Palm Sunday.
:) It’s nice to see you, Mr. Sheed.
With my suggestion I was hoping the comotion would bring the rest in and there would be more shooting :)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.