1.
GTV Farm
0.05

2.
SV Farmer with dogs leading monkey
0.14

3.
SV Monkey on pig-sty fence - pigs running around
0.21

4.
SV Monkey surrounded by pigs
0.27

5.
SV Monkey chasing pigs
0.45

6.
CU Monkey moving around
0.54

7.
SV Monkey rounding up pigs, grabbing one by ears
1.05

8.
CU Sow
1.07

9.
SV Monkey on back of pig leaps onto fence
1.14

10.
CU Pig eating
1.15

11.
CU Monkey eating
1.20

12.
SV Monkey in pig pen
1.26

13.
LV Farmer in pig pen with monkey and pigs
1.31



Initials LD/JH/ES



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In the Paktin Village of the Shatin District -- a farmland area which divides Kowloon from China -- a farmer carries out a practice which is quite common among Hong Kong pig-breeders: the use of monkeys to take care of the pigs. Some believe that the monkeys keep evil spirits away from the pigs -- others, however, take the more practical attitude that the monkeys torment the pigs, keep them awake so that they concentrate on eating and get fatter.

The monkeys apparently need very little training -- they are taught a few tricks and then put into the pens with the pigs and left to carry out their duties, which they seem to take on with great zeal.

Another practical aspect of the novel form of pig-keeping, is that the monkeys get on the pigs' backs and keep them clean by catching fleas.

But eating is the main object of the operation -- a restless pig eats, a fatter pig is more valuable, a more valuable pig brings a better price at the market.