Monkeys
The Monkeys
The Primate Rescue Center is home to over 10 different monkey species, who in the wild live everywhere from the rainforests of South America and the woodlands of central Africa to the islands of Indonesia and the sub-arctic reaches of northern Japan. They are a diverse population of Old World and New World primates, whose mannerisms, temperaments, and diets may vary, but who all share one unfortunate characteristic: they have been exploited for use in research or as fodder for the private pet trade, in some cases enduring years of neglect and abuse.
Because monkeys are much smaller than chimpanzees, much more numerous in captivity, and sell for far less money (a few thousand dollars for an infant, vs. $50,000 or more for a newborn chimp), dealers breed them prolifically and sell the offspring at exotic auctions or online to those invariably ill-equipped to provide them proper care. When the novelty of owning a monkey wears off, and the once-sweet adolescents mature and become dangerous and unpredictable, our phones ring. We don’t have the room or staff to care for all of these unfortunate castoffs, so we do our best to find them homes at other reputable sanctuaries. It’s always a challenge, and until laws barring the private ownership are enacted in all 50 states, our phones will no doubt keep ringing.
PETA to CDC: Suspend Monkey Imports in Light of New Endangered Status
Today, in a significant move that should have an impact on wasteful, old-style animal experiments, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) announced that the conservation status of long-tailed macaques and pig-tailed macaques has been changed from “vulnerable” to “endangered.”
The PRC’s Lifetime Care Promise
Jenny Siamang Gibbon was rescued by the PRC in 1992 and is estimated to have been born in 1971. The PRC's Lifetime Care Promise by: Melanie Parker Since its founding, the Primate Rescue Center’s mission has been clear – rescue, rehabilitation, and recovery of...
Chimpmas Time is Here!
It’s that time again… The apes and monkeys have been good all year and are hoping that their Chimpmas wishes will come true! Everyone thought long and hard about what they would love most this year and we have put together their list here. Many of the items they...
Jake and Japanese Macaques
My name is Alister Brown. I interned at the Primate Rescue Center from May to September in 2021. During my time, I was able to grow close to all of the primates on the property. Since I lived in the same building as the chimpanzees, I grew especially close to all...
20+ Years of Sanctuary Club
The Primate Rescue Center rescued its first monkey, Gizmo, in 1987 and began a journey which has now spanned 34 years and given refuge to hundreds of primates along the way.