Monday, December 19, 2011

Primate Update E-Newsletter, Vol. 3, Issue 12, Part 1


Happy Holidays from all the monkeys
and their caregivers at Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
May we all have peace and plenty throughout the New Year.

PPS PRIMATES in the SPOTLIGHT

Happy Birthday Carlos and Montana!
Carlos and Montana are spider monkey brothers, who have turned 20 and 21 respectively this year. We don’t have the exact birth dates for Carlos and Montana, so we celebrate their lives at the end of each year.
Brothers Carlos and Montana come in close for a hug

In March 2010, these two brothers were given refuge from a tourist attraction, where they had been living on display for 16 years. Initially, Carlos and Montana were wary, however they soon became very close to all of their new caregivers, and seemed to enjoy the peace and quiet here at the Sanctuary. Upon arrival at PPS, Carlos and Montana were placed in temporary housing, with plans to build new enclosures custom designed for them. Construction on the new enclosures began in December 2010.

Soon after the construction started, we began working with Carlos and Montana to become comfortable entering a carrier crate in preparation for the move. We were so excited when Carlos and Montana were moved into their home in June 2011.

The new enclosures are 40 feet long, and full of lush jungle plants. Carlos and Montana have a full 360-degree view; their enclosure allows them to see the orchard, palms and a bamboo grove. Finally, they are able to brachiate, hand over hand across the branches, expressing their natural movement for the first time in their lives. They forage and eat the leaves from plants growing in their enclosure. Their fur has grown thick and lustrous and they spend their days in the sun, sitting high up, looking out over their green environment.

Please help us continue to provide monkeys like Carlos and Montana a home where they can live free from pain and exploitation at human hands. Donate now at: http://www.pacificprimate.org/help-donate.htm


PPS INTERNSHIP

When Mary arrives she will be
 living in this beautiful yurt!

We are pleased to announce the selection of our newest Resident Intern, Mary, who will be arriving in January. She recently graduated from the University of Michigan, with a Bachelors degree in Zoology. Growing up on a farm, Mary has a long history of caring for animals. Additionally, she spent the last 2 summers interning at the Denver Zoo, working with a wide variety of animals. Mary is passionate about working with primates, and is very excited about the opportunity to join us here at Pacific Primate Sanctuary. Her references speak very highly of her, describing her as hardworking, trustworthy, responsible, and someone who really stands out from the rest. We are so excited for Mary to join Team PPS!

Mary Writes:
Expanding my exotic animal skills with a focus on New World primate care is a rare opportunity Pacific Primate Sanctuary could provide me, as well as the opportunity to broaden my awareness regarding conservation of primate habitats. For as long as I can remember I have been interested in working with primates and feel this internship would help me to gain valuable knowledge and the hands on experience necessary to further my dream of a career caring for primates.

Pacific Primate Sanctuary’s Resident Internship is a unique immersion program, facilitating learning about New World primates and animal sanctuary management on an intimate, in depth, all encompassing level. When Mary arrives, her training will begin with Primate Care and Facility Maintenance. During this module she will learn how to provide daily care to the 69 monkeys living here at Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
Intern Annabel prepares 
medications for the monkeys

Once she has mastered the skills in this portion, she will move on to the Emergency Care Training Module. Mary will be trained in a wide variety of medical care procedures- including special individual care, how to administer subcutaneous fluids, calculate medication dosages, and check vital signals, just to name a few.

In the third module, Interns are trained in Sanctuary Management. Our current Interns, Linda and Annabel, are engaged in this area of their Internship training right now. The goal of Sanctuary Management is to become competent in teaching new volunteers, updating PPS Manual documents, and learning about colony management (primate management, pairing, and transfer).
Intern Linda

In colony management, the special needs of each primate must be understood and considered in order to select and create the best possible environment, pairing, location within the Sanctuary, and enclosure set-up. Right now, we have been focusing on colony management, since several of the monkeys needed to be re-located. Annabel and Linda have been delving into the intricacies of colony management and have gained a good understanding of the importance of appropriate placement and social groupings. They have been moving monkeys into more suitable locations, and we have seen a real difference in the overall atmosphere at the Sanctuary! Many of the marmosets and tamarins are much calmer, and seem quite content with their new living arrangement.




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.

Primate Update E-Newsletter, Vol. 3, Issue 12, Part 2

SANCTUARY NEWS

This past month, several monkeys have been moved into new enclosures, creating a more harmonious environment for all the animals in our care.

Leticia was living in a specially designed portable enclosure to accommodate the decreasing mobility of her mate Iktomi. Recently, Iktomi was removed from his enclosure to receive specialized daily care, as the paralysis in his arms and legs has become debilitating for him. Leticia, who is very active and mobile, was moved into a large indoor/outdoor enclosure. She has been exploring every nook and cranny of her outdoor space, and is enjoying basking in the sunlight.

Abraham is a black tufted eared marmoset, who had been living in an outdoor enclosure in the extension. The PPS Extension was built last year to provide an outdoor environment for monkeys who had been living in indoor portables. The enclosures were designed for young, active monkeys to allow them to experience a more natural environment, including access to lush jungle plants and tropical rainforest weather. However, we noticed that Abraham, who is an older monkey, was getting cold during the wet winter mornings. We moved Abraham into a larger enclosure in the Sanctuary main building. These enclosures have both an indoor and an outdoor area, which are perfect for elderly monkeys. Abraham now spends the chilly winter mornings and rainy days snug indoors, and then moves outdoors when the days are warm and bright.


This month we mourn the passing of our beloved Miranda.
White faced capuchin, Miranda, passed away on 11/21.
Lucy and Erin were holding her in their arms when she died. We have buried her next to her granddaughter Viola and have planted many beautiful plants, including the yellow ginger she loved, around her grave. Miranda touched the heart of all those who cared for her.

Her past caregivers write:
I am so sorry to hear about Miranda, she was such a gentle soul. You gave her a wonderful home for such a long time, with all the love and care she deserved... -Intern Tez

My heart is sad with the news of Miranda, but also grateful and joyful for the life she was able to have at PPS. Thank you for the amazing things you do! -Volunteer Stacie



HOW TO HELP THE MONKEYS

Gifts for the Monkeys
The Holiday season is upon us; it is a time of year to celebrate with friends and family- a time when joy, compassion, and the spirit of generosity abound. Below are ways you can help Pacific Primate Sanctuary during this season of giving.

Gift Contributions
Many of us are sick of the holiday buying binge and are searching for truly meaningful gifts. We would like to offer a gift giving opportunity:
Gift Contributions can be made to Pacific Primate Sanctuary in the name of anyone on your holiday list. Your Gift Recipients will receive a beautiful Contribution Certificate showing you have made a donation in their name, along with information about PPS. This meaningful and significant gift helps to feed and care for threatened, endangered and distressed primates. Please see our website for the PPS Holiday Gift Contribution Form. http://pacificprimate.org/help.htm

GoodShop
Use GoodShop.com for all your holiday shopping; not only will you avoid the crowded malls, but you will also be supporting the monkeys! After designating Pacific Primate Sanctuary as your nonprofit of choice, you can shop at more than 900 top online retailers and a percentage of your purchases will automatically be donated to the Sanctuary! When you select a store, you will automatically be redirected to a coupon page for that store. PLEASE use GoodShop this holiday season!

GoodDining.com
GoodSearch.com has a brand new way to help support Pacific Primate Sanctuary with a program called GoodDining. Enroll online with GoodDining.com, and then search through their list of restaurants. When you eat at any of the designated restaurants, using a registered credit or debit card, a percentage of your total bill will be donated to Pacific Primate Sanctuary at no extra charge to you! Sign up today at https://www.goodsearch.com/gooddining.aspx

Volunteer Your Time
We are currently in need of more local volunteers! If you live on Maui and are interested in becoming one of Pacific Primate Sanctuary’s Angels, volunteering your time and skills, please e-mail us at PPS@aloha.net. We need Animal Caregivers, Office Assistants, Handymen, and Gardeners/Landscapers. Retirees are welcome!

How to Donate Directly
Our work depends on donations, and we deeply appreciate your continued partnership. You, and your family and friends, can make tax-deductible donations to the Sanctuary on our Website: www.pacificprimate.org and on FaceBook, using PayPal, or by sending a check to:
Pacific Primate Sanctuary
500-A Haloa Road
Haiku, HI 96708


Your contributions allow us to provide a home for monkeys such as this critically endangered cotton top tamarin who was rescued from a research laboratory.



PPS WEBSITE UPDATES

We have been continuing to update our website! Check out our newly revised Programs page: http://www.pacificprimate.org/programs.htm




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.

Primate Update E-Newsletter, Vol. 3, Issue 12, Part 3

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Special Topic: Intern Linda
Marmosets and Tamarins
Chapter 4: Making Sense out of Scents

Scent marking plays a crucial role socially and sexually in marmosets and tamarins. At PPS, we see many of the monkeys scent marking their conspecifics, food, and their environment. These chemical signals are released through urine, feces, genital discharge, saliva, and specialized glands.

The three most common markings are circumgenital, suprapubic, and sternal marking. These are named by their location and which gland the chemical is secreted from. Circumgenital marking is also known as sit rubbing and has the lowest intensity. This is performed by rubbing their genitals against the substrate and is often seen with marmosets marking their food. Suprapubic marking is also termed pull rubbing; this is very common in Cotton-top tamarins and is performed by pulling themselves forward with the hands. Lastly, sternal marking involves the primates using chest glands to mark their environment.

The monkeys here at the sanctuary are seen scent marking frequently and these chemical signals are of great importance in their lives.

-Rylands, A.B. Marmosets and Tamarins. Systematics, Behavior, and Ecology. Oxford, U.K.: Oxford University Press, 1993.


Special Topic: Intern Caroline
Complete Capuchin
Chapter 12. Erotic Artists. Sexual behavior, forms of courtship and mating.

This chapter discusses the significance of behaviors that capuchins exhibit during sexual interactions. These behaviors, such as touch and run, or an extended arm are sexual interactions exhibited amongst capuchins during foreplay. However, here at PPS, these common sexual behaviors are not often seen between the capuchins but are more likely to be displayed as a threat or warning.

- Fragaszy, D.M., Visalberghi, E., Fedigan, L.M. (2004) The Complete Capuchin: The Biology of the Genus Cebus. UK. Cambridge University Press.


Special Topic: Intern Annabel
Primate Ecology and Conservation
Current issues and new approaches in primate ecology and conservation

Studies have found that social behaviors in primates are influenced by habitat, producing differences even between the same species. This has led to numerous behavioral studies taking place in the field, in the labs, and in captivity. Such studies are essential for contributing to the explanation of patterns of social behavior observed, and for the conservation of primate populations. Conservation is vital now, as human destruction of natural ecosystems has escalated to the extent that it threatens the long-term survival of humans as well as of other animals. As primates and humans are so closely related, the same conservation strategies can be applied. Sustainable management of habitats and ecological systems can ensure the survival of many different species. Habitats need to be restored and preserved long term to ensure the stability of primate populations.
Critically Endangered Cotton Top Tamarin

The primate species that we have here face these very same problems in the wild, habit loss through deforestation. Cotton- top tamarins are listed as Critically Endangered and this is due, in part, to habitat loss. If we can find a way to protect the forests and preserve the habitats then these animals may have a chance at survival in the wild. If the rate of decline continues, soon a vast majority of species listed as ‘Endangered’ will only exist in captivity.

-Else, J.G., Lee, P.C., Primate Ecology and Conservation. Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press, 1986





Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”    — St. Francis of Assisi


We hope you have enjoyed this issue of Pacific Primate Sanctuary’s E-Newsletter. Thank you for your support of our life saving work. Because of compassionate people, the Sanctuary can continue to provide a place of peace and happiness for 70 primates saved from research laboratories, animal dealers, and tourist attractions. Here they can heal, form families, and live free from exploitation.



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.