ANCHOR: Monkeys that live in Ohama Park in Japan have been steadily gaining weight for several years. Some have become so fat that they now have trouble moving around. The primates are now on a crash diet. Let’s go Osaka for more. STORY: Rhesus monkeys are supposed to weigh around 10 kilos – but this one is almost three times that. He’s one of around 50 monkeys in a Japanese park who’ve been struggling with their weight for years. [Syoji Hasegawa, Superintendent, Ohama Park]: “We don’t really know the exact reason why the monkeys grew fat, but we reckon its because the monkeys are not only fed once a day by us but also because this park is open 24 hours-a-day to visitors who throw food into the enclosure.” The park keeper at Sakai City in Osaka has put the monkeys on a strict diet. Their calorie intake has been reduced by 60 per cent and instead of their favorite potatoes they’re fed low-calorie wheat. [Oshan Kitamura, Elementary School Student]: “The monkeys certainly seem to have lost weight.” The park’s 24 hour opening is thought to be the main problem. Many locals ignore the warning signs and feed them at night [Ryoko Matsumoto, Local Resident]: “People must have fed the monkeys in the first place because they thought they were cute, but now it’s a nuisance for the monkeys because they have to put up with less food.” There are now plans to build an enclosure which prevents park users throwing in food. And it seems an exercise program may have to be introduced too – or …