Monkeys protect Commonwealth Games

Langur monkeys will help to keep other
wild animals at bay at the Games.
Photo: Julie Langford, Wikimedia Commons.

MONKEYS GUARDING THE GAMES

Langur monkeys have been put in front of some of the main venues at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India. They're there to scare off wild dogs, snakes and other wild monkeys that might endanger the athletes.

Langur monkeys are extremely intelligent, but very aggressive and territorial. That makes them perfect for fending off wild animals.

Eight of the monkeys, and their handlers, will be posted outside the boxing and the hockey complexes. Two more are on call in the event of an emergency.

The South African team found a King
Cobra like this one in their residence.
Image: Dawson, Wikimedia Commons



Snake charmers are also being used at the games, especially after a king cobra was found in the South African team's residence. Another snake was discovered in the tennis complex.

True to form, our Canadian athletes have nothing bad to say about the living conditions at the Games. Field hockey player Ken Pereira called the accommodations "fine."

Canada is sending 400 athletes, coaches and support staff to the Delhi Games, which begin on Sunday and run through Oct. 14.

Related Links
Canadian athletes to arrive at Commonwealth Games tomorrow

Curriculum Connection
1. What is this story about? Can you identify the different parts of the story (introduction, body, conclusion)?

Primary and Junior
Identify the main idea and some additional elements of texts (OME, Reading: 2.3).

2. How do the specific elements of the article (introduction, body, conclusion) work to develop the story?

Primary and Junior
Identify specific elements of texts and explain how they contribute to the meaning of the texts (OME, Reading: 1.7)

Grammatical Feature
Comma: Highlight the very different uses of a comma throughout the article.

“Langur monkeys have been put in front of some of the main venues at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India.” (After each part of an address.)

“Eight of the monkeys, and their handlers, will be posted outside the boximg and the hockey complexes.” (To mark an interruption in thought.)

“True to form, our Canadian athletes have nothing bad to say about the living conditions at the Games.” (After introductory material.)

Discussion Topics
Do you think the monkeys will protect the athletes? If not, how would you solve the problem if you were put in charge? If yes, what solution would you have if the monkeys, themselves, became a problem?