Wadi monkey

Wadi monkey is a nickname for a group of Patas Monkeys ("Erythrocebus patas") that live around a grassy riverbed. Wadi is an arabic word for dry riverbed. The monkeys are not native to the area, but were imported during the reign of Sadam Hussein.

The Al Asad Air Base was used as an Olympic training facility under Sadam Hussein. The group of Patas Monkeys was originally brought to the area on an order from Uday. He wanted them to be a show piece of the Hussein dynasty for the dignitaries that came to observe the Olympians in training. The Patas Monkeys had been chosen for their adaptability to the arid climate of western Iraq. It is said that the monkeys were originally released around the area known as the oasis which has a year round pool of water and extensive vegetation and trees. After their release, the monkeys actually moved from the oasis area into the wadi, or dry riverbed. The area is close enough to the water table to support extensive grasses year round, which is very similar to the Patas Monkey’s natural environment of savannah grasslands. The Patas Monkeys are about 75cm long. Their body structure is designed for moving along the ground, thin arms and legs with a protruding chest. They are the fastest primates in the world, reaching speeds of up to 50 km/h. They are extremely shy and avoid confrontation. They are able to subsist on fruit, grubs, and insects.

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