The stormy days of winter are coming to an end, and the monkeys are appreciating the warm, golden days of spring. Each morning, as we do our visual checks, we see our primate friends exploring their outodoor enclosures, grooming in the sun, and lounging in their hammocks. The monkeys are particularly excited with all of the blooming flowers. 
Many primates are known to eat nectar and flowers in the wild, and it this is true for the monkeys at PPS.
At the Sanctuary, we use natural materials for enrichment, and flowers are one of most appropriate items to give because they stimulate all of the senses. Ginger and Hibiscus flowers are are fragrant, beautiful, edible, and interesting. The monkeys love to eat the flowers’ sweet nectar, chew and scent mark the thick ginger stalks, lick water droplets off the leaves, and hunt for tiny ants among the petals.
Please watch Flowers For the Monkeys on YouTube to see the monkeys enjoying their flowers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm1Ejn_I95s
WHAT’S HAPPENING at PPS
Social Media
Our Facebook page is continuing to grow, and we have many new supporters! If you haven’t checked in lately, take a look- we have been posting many new pictures and updates. We have also been sharing some great eco-friendly tips. https://www.facebook.com/PacificPrimateSanctuary
Pacific Primate Sanctuary now has a Twitter Feed! Please follow us to get regular updates about what is happening here at theSanctuary. https://twitter.com/PacificPrimate
We have recently received our newest batch of T-Shirts! They feature th
e PPS green monkey logo, and were printed in a variety of beautiful colors. Thank you to Cyndi for donating her time to help us to fold, sort, and store our new PPS T-shirts! This was a big project and with Cyndi’s able help we were able to get it done quickly and efficiently.Happy 15th Birthday Cordelia
Black-tufted eared marmoset, Cordelia, will be turning 15 years old on June 29th. The average lifespan of marmosets and tamarins is 12-13 years, so Cordelia’s long life is remarkable! There are currently 15 callitrichids at PPS over 10 years old, and they are all doing incredibly well. One of the main factors contributing to the monkeys’ wellbeing and longevity is the ability of PPS Interns to address any potential health problems while they are still minor, by using their keen observational skills, and responding quickly with appropriate and able care.
THANK YOU to PPS SUPPORTERS
Thank you to long time supporter, Joani, for her generosity in sponsoring the PPS Interns and COO! The funding Joani has provided makes it possible to continue our vital Resident Internship Program, by allowing us to cover the cost of utilities, Internet, housing maintenance and supplies. It truly brings joy and peace to the PPS ‘Ohana to have the partnership of such a compassionate, visionary person. Thank you, Joani, for all that you do and all that you are!
WAYS YOU CAN HELP the MONKEYS at PPS
Pacific Primate Sanctuary is a small community of volunteers, doing a big job. We spend very little on fundraising and nothing on administration. Your donations go directly to caring for the animals!
The monkeys depend upon the support of compassionate people for their survival. Please help the Sanctuary protect the lives of these threatened beings and preserve their species. Below are several important ways that you can become a partner in our life-saving work.
Malama Ola the MonkeysPlease support our online fundraiser- Malama Ola the Monkeys (to care for the health and lives of the monkeys). The purpose of this fundraiser is to provide for the well being of the 60 monkeys at Pacific Primate Sanctuary, by ensuring that they receive proper nutrition and medical care. If all of our supporters gave at least $5, we would be able to provide food, medicine, and vet care for the animals for a year!
To make an online donation to the health and lives of the monkeys, go to: http://www.gofundme.com/32x3zo
Every contribution helps to feed and care for the threatened monkeys at Pacific Primate Sanctuary! Please spread the word, and share this fundraiser with your friends and family via e-mail, Facebook, Twitter and blogs.
GoFundMe
You can host your own online fundraiser for Pacific Primate Sanctuary using GoFundMe. Search for Pacific Primate Sanctuary at the following link, and you can set up a unique charity website to help raise money for PPS! http://www.gofundme.com/charity-donations/
Give the Gift of Your Service and Volunteer Your Time
We are currently in need of ANIMAL CAREGIVER VOLUNTEERS for the AM and/or PM shifts! Activities include preparing food for the monkeys, cleaning, keeping records, and responsibly overseeing the health and well being of the animals.
PPS is seeking a volunteer ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT with experience in office management, HR, secretarial work, fundraising, grant writing, etc.
PPS also needs a Volunteer OFFICE ASSISTANT to help with: correspondence, filing, computer input, and other general office duties.
We are looking for mature team players who are willing to make a long-term commitment to the Sanctuary. Retirees are most welcome. Please e-mail us at pps@aloha.net if you are interested in any of these positions and joining the PPS Team..
GoodSearch.com offers many different ways to raise money to PPS, all without any additional cost to you! Use their yahoo based search engine, and we get a penny for each search you do. Shop online at hundreds of stores, and a portion of each purchase will be donated to PPS. There is also a dining club, online surveys and online offers. Going on Vacation? With June right around the corner, many people are planning their summer vacations. Book your flight, hotel, and rental car through GoodTravel. Go to GoodSearch.com, select Pacific Primate Sanctuary as your charity of choice, and start exploring the opportunities! Want to see how much you are helping? Create an account to keep track of your donations.
Spread the Word
One great way for you to support the monkeys at Pacific Primate Sanctuary is by sharing information about our refuge with others. Pass this E-Newsletter on to your family and friends and encourage them to “Like” us on Facebook— http://www.facebook.com/PacificPrimateSanctuary
Gift Contributions
Gift Contributions Certificates are a unique and meaningful gift for graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, or any special occasion. Gift Recipients will receive a beautiful Contribution Certificate showing you have made a donation in their name, along with information about PPS. This thoughtful and significant gift helps to feed and care for the threatened, endangered and distressed primates at Pacific Primate Sanctuary. Please see our website for details:
http://www.pacificprimate.org/help.htm
Pacific Primate Sanctuary’s Wish List
You can contribute to the monkeys by donating much needed items, including:
-commercial power washer -high quality microscope
-heavy-duty weed eater -gram staining supplies
-gardening supplies & equipment -sewing machine
-small handheld vacuum -construction tools
-pillowcases -ride-on lawn mower
Please contact us at pps@aloha.net if you have an item you wish to donate!
How to Donate Directly
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
500-A Haloa Road
Haiku, HI 96708
With your support, you make everything we do possible!
PPS INTERNSHIP
The Resident Internship Program at Pacific Primate Sanctuary began in 2004. We have had 28 Interns over the past 9 years and the curriculum has deepened and expanded over time. Many PPS Interns have gone on to veterinary school, graduate programs, fieldwork, and careers in conservation, and will make significant contributions to animal welfare and environmental protection.The PPS immersion progran allows Interns to learn about New World primates and animal sanctuary management on an intimate, in depth, all encompassing level. Training is tailored for each Intern and progress is evaluated at each stage of instruction. The Intern may be awarded Primary Animal Caregiver Certification by senior personnel, after successfully acquiring a high level of competency, skill, and expertise in primate care, record keeping, and facility management. However, the learning process never truly ends and the scope and breadth of the Intern’s knowledge and responsibility grow during their year in residency at the Sanctuary.
Pacific Primate Sanctuary’s Internship Program is mutually beneficial since the Interns provide a high level of animal husbandry and compassionate care to the 60 monkeys and the Sanctuary. The interns also contribute new information, research, insights, and create new procedures and protocol for the PPS Manuals. The Sanctuary could not function without the support of our amazing Interns!
Intern Mary writes: “Thank you to all past and present Interns and Volunteers. Your passion and selfless dedication to the care of the monkeys has been inspirational and I have learned so much from every person I have had the pleasure of working with.”
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Special Topic: Intern Rachel
Marmoset Vocalizations
Vocalization is a very important part of marmoset communication and by being attentive to it’s meaning, we can gather important information about their interactions. When we hear vocalizations from the marmosets we must also keep in mind that a few of them (two ex-pets, Macaco and Pacey, for example) were not raised with a marmoset family. Their vocalizations and calls may sound correct but we should not assume that the meaning is the same as is described in the following chart. Part of the rehabilitation of these monkeys is learning what calls other marmosets make, and then discovering what contexts they are appropriate, and the meaning they convey. Pacey was very quiet when he first came to PPS, but over time has learned many new vocalizations!
The following chart was created as a tool for the caregivers at PPS to better assess the situations that arise within our population of marmosets. If you wish to hear any of the calls, please log onto marmosetcare.org, look under Understanding Behavior and click “Calls.”
Special Topic: Intern Edie
Positive Reinforcement Training in Animal Management
Now that Intern Rachel and I have started training with some of the PPS monkeys I would like to take the time to write a brief special topic that focuses on just a few of the many uses and benefits of utilizing Operant Conditioning (positive reinforcement training) in animal management.
Operant Conditioning can play an important role in and be very beneficial in animal management programs for captive exotics. An effective training program, utilizing positive reinforcement, can minimize or diminish potential stress felt by the animal in the husbandry setting. Basic husbandry training provides reliability as well as increased safety for both the animal and caregiver. A basic husbandry training program would include behaviors such as: “Target” (the animal touches or holds onto a specific object- the target), “Station” (then animal goes to a specified spot- the Station), name recognition, etc. Once established these basic behaviors can be elaborated on and used as the foundation for building or “shaping” new behaviors. These basic behaviors are successful aids for teaching more complicated tasks such as more intermediate behaviors including; scale training, catch cage training, syringe training etc. The “target” or “station” behavior can be used to get an animal onto a scale or in a catch cage. Name recognition and “stationing” can both be beneficial when working with more than one individual and individuals can be trained to recognize their own station or target.
A more advanced training program would include medical behaviors that can be used to aid and minimize stress from veterinarian exams or procedures. Body present behaviors (the animal holds out or “presents” a body part such as hand, foot, tongue, etc.) and physical manipulation behaviors allow the vet or caregiver to get a closer look at the animal without having to anesthetize them or restrain them. An animal can be trained for voluntary blood draws, taking temperature, checking vitals etc.
Not only does husbandry training through positive reinforcement provide reliability, safety and access to medical information but is also stimulating for the animals and helps build a positive and trusting relationship between animals and their caregivers. Established husbandry behaviors that are maintained with consistency are clear in their criteria for the animal. When the trainer is utilizing these behaviors during husbandry, at that time the animal knows what to expect from the caregiver, who in turn knows what to expect from the animal. Training is stimulating in a positive way and can also serve as a form of enrichment. This is not only beneficial and stimulating to the monkeys but also to the Interns at PPS. Training utilizing Operant Conditioning is a skill that holds great value in the animal care field. Good trainers practice and learn good problem solving and decision making skills and develop their attention to detail. These are some key traits that help make excellent animal caregivers and practicing those skills helps us to better care for the PPS monkeys.
Training Update
Neptune, Leticia (Cotton top tamarins) & Galatea (saddleback tamarin) are now getting on the scale for weekly weights. Leo & Sebastian (white tufted marmosets) are in the beginning stages of scale training. Mariette (white tufted marmoset) is doing well with her “Target” training. Her training sessions will focus on working toward closing her greenroom door while she remains inside. This is the same training plan used with Camille for closing the monkeys in for inclement weather, enclosure maintenance purposes etc.
Mariette is now targeting when I am in her enclosure with her. Now that she is comfortable with coming inside for training sessions, remaining calm and focusing on the target stick we can start working on the door. Camille (white tufted marmoset) is exceptional! She is targeting inside, allowing the greenroom door to be shut and remains calm and focused on targeting some more. Once the greenroom door opens sometimes she leaves and comes back to target one last time and other times she feels comfortable enough that she stays inside eating her reward and waits for the target to be presented again. This was a huge step for us when she chose to stay inside once she was re-accessed to her greenroom. The focus now is to approximate the length of time the door remains closed before re-accessing her to her greenroom. As in the case of inclement weather the door will likely be closed for some time and we want her to remain comfortable with the door closed.
I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.
—Albert Schweitzer, philosopher, physician, Nobel laureate
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 60 primates saved from research laboratories, animal dealers, and tourist attractions. Here they can heal, form social groups, and live free from exploitation.
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