Macaques run over by cars on the highway

...A kind local who witnessed the accident brought her straight to our center after the offending vehicle failed to stop. The monkey experienced blunt trauma to the left side of the skull, fortunately with no detectable cranial fractures, but had deep hemorrhage to the left eye with swelling behind and lateral to the orbit, hyphema and a split open scalp.  She was covered in blood but no other serious injuries were found.  Mentally, she was heavily obtunded, bordering on stuporus, but some small reactions were detected to tactile stimulation. Shock fluids were administered, intravenous antibiotics and analgesics and close observation was maintained overnight.  We were pleased that she lived through those first twelve hours since intracranial hemorrhage was a major concern.  Unfortunately we do not have the equipment to monitor intracranial pressure at our center, and a dramatic increase could have killed the monkey.

Head injuries at arrival

This morning, her left eye is still very swollen and bruised with minor swelling around the right eye.  Her pupils are equal in size and response and occasionally she comes out of her stupor to respond to movement and sound.  There is hope that she will pull through, and hopefully lead a normal life.  It is too early to tell whether she will be fit for release to her previous group in Petchaburi, or if she will need lifelong care due to head injuries and brain damage.

Her case highlights the difficulties of mixing human and wildlife populations as well, unfortunately, as the low opinion many in this country hold of the long-tail macaques. (January 22nd, 2006 Dr Cheryl MacPherson)

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