Primate Update E-Newsletter, Vol. 3, Issue 5, Part 1

PPS PRIMATES in the SPOTLIGHT

We grieve the passing of two very special monkeys this past month.

Solomon, a Black tufted eared marmoset, passed away on April 16, 2011. He lived large and loved food, sharing his life with a companion, sitting on a branch outside with the sunshine on his belly. He was inquisitive and excited by new experiences. Just a few weeks ago, the Interns blew soap bubbles for him and he watched in amazement.

When we buried him, we remembered his parents, Florence and Tank. Florence was confiscated from smugglers in New York and was sent, with her sister, to the Sanctuary. Solomon’s father, Tank, came from the discredited laboratories in New York as an older, down trodden man. His story is on our website. Florence, who was a much younger monkey, and Tank had an amazing relationship and a wonderful family.

As we finished the telling of his story, circled around his small grave, we asked that Solomon commend us to those who went before and tell them that there ARE people in the world whose hearts are filled with love for them.

Lucian was born on October 23, 2002, at a testing facility has been cited repeatedly by the USDA for Animal Welfare violations. After spending two years there, Lucian, his parents and seven siblings were sent to Pacific Primate Sanctuary. A veterinarian who was working at the laboratory wanted to send at least one family of marmosets to Pacific Primate Sanctuary before she quit her job at the facility.

Lucian and Olivia

Lucian was paired with Olivia, a marmoset who was human reared, after her mother died in childbirth. Olivia learned much from Lucian about how to be a monkey, including normal behaviors and vocalizations. Their lives became complete when they had children. Lucian and Olivia were wonderful parents, always protective of their family. Over time, their offspring grew up and found companions of their own. Lucian and Olivia both developed health conditions requiring specialized care, and one or the other would often spend time in the infirmary being gently nursed back to health in the tender hands of their caregivers.

Lucian and Olivia 

observe holiday candles

Each time Olivia was taken to the infirmary, Lucian would wait for her return. During these times of separation, we would often place Olivia in a kennel in front of Lucian. Lucian would always come running as soon as he saw her, and spend the whole day close by, keeping a careful watch over Olivia. At night, he would wait to go up to his sleeping house until his mate was put to bed and sleeping peacefully. Over the last several weeks, Lucian’s health deteriorated rapidly and he passed away on April 26, 2011.

Solomon and Lucian were both dearly loved by the many caregivers who were fortunate to know them, and will be greatly missed.

Please help us continue to provide monkeys such as Solomon and Lucian with a home where they can pass their days in peace and gladness.
Donate now at http://www.pacificprimate.org/help-donate.htm

SANCTUARY NEWS

Please Join us in Celebrating Miranda’s Life!

Miranda upon Arrival

Miranda fives months 

after coming to PPS

Miranda arrived at Pacific Primate Sanctuary on May 17, 1990, rescued from a tourist attraction on Kauai. She had spent over a year living solitarily in a tiny 4’x4’ cage, with no room to move around or even stand upright. When she arrived, she was emaciated, had plucked all the fur from her arms, chest, neck and tail and was weak with atrophied muscles. By mutilating herself, Miranda was crying out for help against the injustice inflicted upon her. Here at PPS, she was given her life back. We built her a big enclosure, offered her lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, and treated her with kindness and respect. She loved to listen as her caregivers sang to her. Over time, her muscles grew stronger and her fur grew back. Miranda has now been at the Sanctuary for 21 years, and is thriving. As a wild caught monkey, we do not know Miranda’s date of birth, so instead we celebrate Miranda’s life each year on May 17- the day she found a caring home at Pacific Primate Sanctuary

Cotton- top Tamarin, Nadine, gave birth to twins on April 4th. One of the infants was extremely weak during the first few days, and strained to hold tight to mom’s back. When caregivers saw this struggle for life, they offered extra support- dropper feeding the tiny infant, and providing warmth. Soon the baby’s strength increased, and he was able to cling tightly to Nadine’s back and nurse to maintain his strength.

This species is listed as Critically Endangered, and unfortunately the population is currently decreasing. When a species is listed as Critically Endangered, it is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. In fact, 80% of the total Cotton Top Tamarin population has been lost over the last 18 years. Pacific Primate Sanctuary is currently home to 22 Cotton Top Tamarins. Their survival provides hope for the future of this at-risk species.

Viola, a young Capuchin monkey sold her very first painting! Viola has been painting with tempera paints for over a year. She loves using her fingers to spread the colors around the page (and occasionally her face!). John, a PPS Supporter, was extremely moved by the video “Viola Paints”, on YouTube and on Pacific Primate Sanctuary’s Facebook page, and wanted to have one of her paintings. He offered a very generous donation for Viola’s Earth Day Painting #1.

Viola’s Earth Day Painting #1

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.