Primate Update E-Newsletter, Vol. 4, Issue 8, Part 1

WHAT’S HAPPENING at PPS

Two cotton top tamarins, who spent their entire lives in research laboratories and were finally coming to Pacific Primate Sanctuary, died en-route. The airline has not responded to our inquiries. Our veterinarian says: Two endangered primates enter alive and leave dead. Not coincidence. This is an issue that is preventable and deserves attention and action immediately.  Please sign our on-line petition at: http://www.change.org/petitions/two-endangered-tamarins-die-on-continental-cargo-flight

Fern and Xylophone found a safe haven at Pacific Primate Sanctuary in 2009.  Their history is exceptionally similar to Scooter and Indigo’s- both pairs of critically endangered cotton top tamarins were born at the same laboratory, and were later both moved to research facilities in Ohio, and were examined by the same Veterinarian before being sent to PPS.  Fern and Xylophone made it here safely, and have spent the last three years healing. We seen an amazing transformation as they have gained weight and their coats have become shiny and healthy. Most importantly, they have been able to live outdoors. We watched with joy as they took their first tentative steps outside and within days were exploring the trees and plants, sitting joyfully in the sun, and looking up with wonder as light drops of rain fell onto their bodies. 

It is heartbreaking that Scooter and Indigo were not able to experience the same rehabilitation. After 17 years in windowless laboratories, they were finally on their way to a place of peace. This opportunity was stolen from them as their lives ended tragically in the cargo hold of an airplane. Please help us put a stop to such calamities, make your voice heard by signing the petition. We need 420 more signatures to reach 1,000! (http://www.change.org/petitions/two-endangered-tamarins-die-on-continental-cargo-flight)

Please add your comments to the petition. This comment was written by Nedim C. Buyukmihci, V.M.D., Emeritus Professor of Veterinary Medicine, University of California:

 Although I accept that there are times when using the airlines to transport non-human beings is practically unavoidable, it is unacceptable that individuals, particularly those who have been examined and found to be healthy, should die. There is no excuse for this. Consider that the airlines transport millions of people yearly without them dying. Would anyone accept that it is okay that a "few" succumb as long as it was below a certain percentage? The fact that non-human beings die regularly during air travel shows that the manner in which they are transported is fundamentally flawed. The airlines charge an exorbitant amount to transport these individuals, often more than they do human passengers. They must provide conditions for non-human passengers that are as secure and safe as those for human passengers.

We can change federal regulations!

Synchronistically, the Department of Transportation is currently revising its requirements for reporting animal injuries and deaths. They are only considering pet dogs and cats “animals”, so the airlines will not be required to report the injuries or deaths of other nonhuman beings.

Would you please offer your comments to the Department of Transportation, letting them know that ALL animal injuries or deaths must be reported by the airlines and their definition of “animal” must be expanded, beyond dogs and cats, to include all animals transported by the airline companies.

The comment form for the proposed rule is at regulations.gov:

http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=DOT-OST-2010-0211-0008

PPS PRIMATES in the SPOTLIGHT

Happy Birthday Emilio and Little Bea!

Emilio and Little Bea are white-tufted eared marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) who just turned 7 on August 18^th. 

Their birth was a very difficult one, and sadly, their mother Blanche passed away shortly after they were born.  The tiny infants latched onto their father, Ernesto, who quickly became “Super Dad” caring for twins with the utmost attention. Sanctuary volunteers lent him a helping hand, providing the infants with the nourishment they needed.

Help us continue to provide a home for Emilio and Little Bea. Please donate now at: http://www.pacificprimate.org/help-donate.htm

SANCTUARY NEWS

Anna and Melia

Cotton top tamarins, Anna and Melia, were each left alone and distressed after the passing of their partners last month.  Young Melia, who has never been alone before, was calling out and searching her enclosure. Knowing that she needed the support of another monkey, we moved Anna in front of Melia.  Both monkeys immediately showed interest in each other, and their signs of distress stopped. They have now been paired for over a month and are getting along very well, and enjoying each other’s company!

This month we mourn the passing of beloved Enzo. 

Enzo, a white-tufted eared marmoset, was born at PPS.  His father, Lucian was rescued from a research laboratory, and his mother, Olivia was cross-fostered by volunteers when her mother died in childbirth. 

Enzo was a quiet, mellow monkey.  He spent most of his time in his outdoor enclosure, basking in the warm sunshine with his partner Zoey. Enzo became ill and was diagnosed with heart disease. Sadly, he passed away on July 25^th. 

We held a memorial ceremony to honor Enzo, Lazero and Magnus, who passed away last month, and Scooter and Indigo, the two critically endangered cotton top tamarins who died en-route to PPS.

As we gathered around the graves, we laughed and cried together as we shared their stories and remembered their lives. We planted Ti for each monkey who passed away, marking each with a beautiful rock painted with each of their names.

Tragically, Scooter and Indigo died without being able to spend their remaining years at Pacific Primate Sanctuary. (For a full story please go to: http://www.change.org/petitions/two-endangered-tamarins-die-on-continental-cargo-flight). Although, we didn’t have the opportunity to provide them with the life they deserved, we will do everything possible to prevent such disastrous mistakes from happening again.

Words of Appreciation for Pacific Primate Sanctuary

What you are doing at the Sanctuary fills my heart with hope…it is rare to find others that truly make the care for the animals, for whom we serve as caretakers and stewards, about them.  This is truly about their story and never about us.  I cannot express what’s in my heart to find that in you and what you are doing there.  THANK YOU!!    -Gena, Ben and Greg

Welcome to our new Volunteers— Daniela and Rachel

We are happy to announce that two new Animal Caregiver Volunteers have joined our Team!

Daniela has over 20 years of experience working in field based ecology all over the world, and has a PhD in Zoology.  Much of her research has focused on Marine Mammals. Daniela also has caretaking experience, including primates, at various zoos and Nature Centers.  She is volunteering on Saturday afternoons.

Rachel is coming in for the Thursday morning shift.  She has spent much of her life caring for horses, but this is her first experience working with primates.  Rachel is currently earning her degree in biology. Interns Mary and Stephanie report that Daniela and Rachel’s training is going extremely well and everyone is very pleased to have them at PPS.

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