Monkeys and Donkeys

Animals have always been an easy target for blame and regularly the protagonists behind conspiracy theories.

The definition of the word "scapegoat" is testament to this in that it is derived from the exiling by a Priest of a goat into the wilderness to symbolise carrying away the sins of the people.

One of my favourite although unfortunate animal related tales is about the townspeople of Hartlepool on the North East coast of England who, in the early years of the 19th Century found a monkey washed up on the shore.

The sight of this species will have been very rare indeed to the majority of the population not only in that part of the country but also most of Europe excepting of course a seaport or other trading centre where the creatures will have been introduced as pets or for entertainment for commercial gain.

To an ill informed populus the mere mention of the word  monkey was associated with a sort of demonic figure. This was promoted to a large extent by their colouration and humanesque character traits.

This strange visitor to the North Sea shore just happened to be dressed in military clothes and in the French style which was unfortunate given the heightened tension between the two maritime nations at that time what with the rise of Napoleon and his often voiced intentions to invade mainland England. .
Having rounded up the frightened and bewildered creature the townsfolk decided to hold a trial. It is quite clear that the fate of the creature had long since been decided by public opinion and... surprise, surprise ......the verdict carried with it the ultimate sanction of execution by hanging.

It is certainly not a very good claim to fame for that North Eastern town and to this day it has been difficult to shake off that dubious chapter in history borne out of a certain amount of ignorance and fear.

The term "Monkey Hanger" is still a colloquialism for people from Hartlepool.

You would think in our much better informed world that animal inspired conspiracies would have no chance of reaching the masses, let alone be able to cause hysterical and nationalistic reactions that could as easily escalate into conflict.

A very recent news story was over the discovery of a Beluga Whale just off the coast of Norway wearing a harness of Russian origin. This sparked all sorts of speculation over the use of trained sea mammals in espionage and other nefarious activities in what is always a sensitive region.

There have been cases of bomb attacks involving donkeys and mules as carriers.

One part of the world where animal conspiracies are very common in the the Middle East.

These have, in the last couple of decades,  included claims that a series of shark attacks in Egyptian tourist waters were the result of directing devices by an enemy of the state when in fact the devices found were merely Trackers fitted by marine biologists for studying the patterns of shark movements in the Mediterranean.

In pursuit of documenting the migration routes of different species of bird it is common to fit small GPS tags. Unfortunately these were misconstrued amongst the political and military volatility in the region upon discovery as being somehow spying systems. The birds under such scrutiny included Kestrels, diminutive bee eaters and even a Griffon Vulture.

Rats, Wild Boars and Hyenas have, upon seemingly innocent capture in the general course of pest and livestock control, been the centre of controversies over enemy plots to spread plaques, destroy crops and carry off children.

Although highly improbable and illogical such ideas spread by rumour, gossip, hearsay and sometimes an Official Statement where there are vested and special interests in perpetuating myths and political positions have had the outcome of a disturbed and aggressive population at large.