Primate Update E-Newsletter, Vol. 3, Issue 4, Part 1

PPS PRIMATES in the SPOTLIGHT

Meet Oona
Oona was born on May 27, 2002 and spent the first two years of her life in a research laboratory, with no access to fresh air, sunshine or greenery. A veterinarian who was working there wanted to send at least one group of marmosets to Pacific Primate Sanctuary before she quit her job at the facility. This testing facility has been investigated repeatedly by the USDA for Animal Welfare violations. In 2008 a monkey was killed, through negligence, when the cage she was left in was sent through the hot water power washer. On March 1, 2004 Oona came to PPS along with her parents and seven brothers and sisters. The family was fortunate to be sent to the Sanctuary. One year later, 19 marmosets at the testing facility died leading the USDA to open another series of Animal Welfare violation cases.

Oona deserved the chance to live as a monkey and experience normal behaviors. We found a partner for her in Nigel, and the two bonded immediately. They were given an outdoor enclosure and, for the first time in her life, Oona was exposed to the natural world. She learned to cling to vertical branches and leap agilely from limb to limb, searching for small insects among the leaves. She was exposed to real weather and became familiar with seeking out the sunshine and finding shelter from the rain. To this day, Oona looks for sunshine each morning and exposes her belly to the warmth of the sun’s rays!

In 2008, Oona’s mate Nigel passed away. Oona continued to live with her children for another year, until they became old enough to leave the natal group and were paired with other monkeys. Oona then found companionship with Little Bea, another female White-tufted Eared Marmoset. These two have been together for about a year now, and are getting along wonderfully!

Please help us continue to provide monkeys such as Oona a refuge where they will no longer be exploited or subjected to suffering at human hands! Donate now at http://www.pacificprimate.org/help-donate.htm

SANCTUARY NEWS

Over the last month, the monkeys at PPS have been getting to know their newest caregivers, Intern Olivia and Volunteer Charlene! They are all quite inquisitive, spending much time watching the new volunteers as they learn animal care protocol. Both Olivia and Charlene have been eager to learn, and the monkeys seem to be very much at ease around them.

Davis and Cordelia, a caring couple

The monkeys spent a lot time focusing on their social bonds this month. Anna and Lazero, a pair of Cotton Top Tamarins, enjoyed nestling closely together under their heat lamps on rainy days. Cordelia received a thorough full body grooming session from her mate, Davis. Nikki and Lily spent hours playing together – wrestling and chasing one another up and around their special double hammock!

Otis, a White-tufted Eared Marmoset, was finally moved into an outdoor enclosure in the new extension this month. He loves to be outside, even in the rain!

Apollo outside on his jungle walkway

Echo and Apollo are a pair of elderly Tamarins who will both be celebrating their 16th birthdays this month- Apollo on the 25th and Echo on the 28th! They have limited mobility, and require a special walkway to access the outside. This month their walkway was revamped and their outdoor enclosure was pruned. With the fresh pruning the sunlight has been streaming in, giving them ample opportunities to sunbathe on their walkway.

We have two very special White Faced Capuchin birthdays in April!

Happy 20th Birthday
Miracle!

Prospero turns

15 on April 10th

This Blog and its content is copyright of Pacific Primate Sanctuary, Inc.—

© Pacific Primate Sanctuary, Inc., 2009. All rights reserved.

Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited other than the following:

you may print or download to a local hard disk extracts for your personal and non-commercial use only

you may copy the content to individual third parties for their personal use, but only if you acknowledge the website as the source of the material

You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content. Nor may you transmit it or store it in any other website or other form of electronic retrieval system.