What better way to start the Year of the Monkey than with baboons and gorillas?

About 18,000 people thronged Japan's largest monkey park during the first three days of 2004 _ the Year of the Monkey in the 12-sign zodiac used by several East Asian countries _ and park officials were thanking their calendars.

Attendance was up 76 percent from 2003, the Year of the Sheep.

``It's the monkey effect,'' said Shigenari Tsunoda, an official with the operator of the Japan Monkey Center, Meitetsu Impress. ``That and clear weather combined for a good turnout.''

For those who needed an extra reason to see the simians, the park also offered free admission to those born in monkey years _ such as 1992, 1980 and 1956.

The other 10 signs of the 12-year East Asian zodiac cycle are dog, pig, rooster, dragon, ox, horse, rabbit, snake, rat and tiger.

Home to some 80 species and 650 animals, the Japan Monkey Park is about 270 kilometers (170 miles) west of Tokyo in Aichi prefecture (state).

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