Wildlife Rhythms

Just Wild: Hugs

"Give someone a hug"

Japan, June 2007: The Japanese snow monkey, also known as the Japanese macaque, has a long history in Japanese arts and history. The Japanese are very fond of their monkeys and do everything in their power to keep them wild and to save them from extinction. The monkeys are victims of shrinking habitats and as a result, are listed as a threatened species.

These snow monkeys are very human-like with bare, red faces and very expressive eyes. They can be found in four mountain regions of Japan but the most popular area is the central region in the Nagano mountains. This area has natural hot springs where the monkeys love to soak and bathe during the cold winter months.

These images were taken in Jigokudani, a valley with bubbling natural hot springs near Nagano, a 2 hour drive from Toyko, Japan