Primate Update E-Newsletter, Vol. 2, Issue 5, Part 1

PPS PRIMATES in the SPOTLIGHT


Meet Chloe

Chloe is a Black-tufted Ear Marmoset (Callithrix penicillata) who was born at Pacific Primate Sanctuary on June 29, 1998 to the delight of her amazing parents, Tank and Florence. Tank was rescued by PPS after the medical laboratory where he was housed was shut down for violations of basic animal care regulations. Florence was given refuge at the Sanctuary, after being confiscated from a smuggler by federal inspectors.
(To read more about Tank and Florence please see Tank’s story on our website: www.pacificprimate.org). Chloe, along with her twin sister Cordelia, came into this world in a way that is most unusual for monkeys- they were delivered by Caesarian. Once Florence’s incision healed, she and her two baby girls rejoined Tank and Abraham (Chloe’s older brother) in their family’s enclosure.

Chloe’s life has been similar to a monkey living in the wild: growing up in a natural family group, with parents to care for her, and siblings to play with, leaping from branch to branch through the greenery. Chloe and her sister helped raise their younger brother, Solomon. When she became a mature adult, we introduced Chloe to Guido, a male companion. Guido and Chloe have formed a very close bond, spending hours together in the trees, grooming in the sun or feeling the wind and rain on their bodies.

Chloe is one of the “Free Generation” of marmosets, a monkey born at Pacific Primate Sanctuary, who has never had to experience pain at human hands, or be treated as a saleable commodity. There is a sense of empowerment, self-assurance, and trust that can be seen in the clarity and brightness of her eyes, and in her penetrating gaze.


NOTABLE NEWS

Martine sits on a new branch

The weather is finally starting to warm up, and the rain is slowing down- we are definitely on our way into summer! The monkeys have been taking advantage of the sunshine, and spending countless hours in their outdoor enclosures. Simon and Martine, two White-tufted Ear Marmosets, particularly enjoyed exploring after several fresh branches were hung in their enclosure. Artemis and Ezra, a pair of Cotton Top Tamarins, have been spending almost every waking moment outdoors!

Macaco, an ex-pet, was moved into a new portable this month. He had been in a special enclosure with more flat surfaces to slowly get him used to moving on branches and climbing. He has now been moved in to a taller, mesh portable with more branches to climb on, and he is adjusting really well. He is climbing with dexterity on all the branches and along the mesh. As soon as we can get the new extension built we will be to move him into an outdoor enclosure!

The four Capuchin Monkeys are all doing wonderfully. Viola and Miranda have been playfully chasing each other through the greenery. Viola continues to enjoy finger painting, and even tried out a paintbrush with the help of Volunteers!

Montana enjoys a special treat wrapped in a Ti leaf

We continue to get to know the Spider Monkeys as they settle into their new home. Their diet has been expanding as we add new and more appropriate foods to their AM and PM meals. A variety of nuts, green vegetables and new fruits have brought many monkey “whinnies” of pleasure and excitement. Their fur is growing thicker and more lustrous. They are moving around their new enclosure in a much more natural way- hand over hand along the branches and ropes. (When Lucy leaves them she calls out- “See you later, brachiator!”


MEET MORE MONKEYS

Vida, a Black-tufted Ear Marmoset rests on a shelf next to a fresh ginger flower.
Vida is well known among Sanctuary Volunteers for luxuriously stretching out; as she is often found sprawled comfortably in any sunny patch she can find.

Sebastian, a White-tufted Ear Marmoset, was recently paired with Allegra, and the couple is getting along very well! Here, Sebastian sits on a branch in his outdoor enclosure.







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