A good year for Chinese monkeys

Other breeds of monkey are enjoying the spotlight

The Chinese Year of the Monkey has had an auspicious start for one rare breed, the rhesus monkey.

Authorities in the south-western Chinese province of Guizhou have given long jail sentences to people convicted of poaching or killing the monkeys.

This is part of a campaign to protect the rhesus monkey, which is widely sought for medical research as well as for pets.

The campaign is led by the Public Security Ministry.

So far 20 people have received jail sentences of between six and 14 years for poaching, killing, or selling the rhesus monkey.

In one area, a group of farmers were sentenced for organising more than 50 villagers to capture the animals and then selling them to traffickers. Five ringleaders were given jail sentences.

The monkeys are usually resold elsewhere in China.