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.
Chimp Outdoor Enclosure Deck Upgrades
The chimpanzees’ outdoor enclosure now features a new ground-level raised platform on a sloped part of the grounds previously underutilized by the troop...
A Beacon of Hope: The Legacy of Dewey
Remembering and honoring Dewey's legacy on the 25th anniversary of his rescue.
Merry “Chimpmas” 2022
It’s that time again – the 2022 PRC Chimpmas Holiday Wishlist is here! Each year we look forward to this festive season so that we can spoil all the amazing PRC primates with a little extra holiday cheer. The monkeys and apes have all made their Chimpmas Wishlists, and we hope that you will enjoy making their Chimpmas dreams come true!
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...