Primate Update E-Newsletter, Vol. 3, Issue 11, Part 3

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Special Topic: Intern Annabel


A Study to Assess the Success of Integrating One Female White Tufted Marmoset into an Already Established Group of Two Female Individuals

Wild common marmosets (white-tufted eared marmosets) were long considered to be monogamous. Evidence from recent field studies show that they have a large social structure that revolves around a stable family unit consisting of a few dominant breeding individuals (Sussman 2000). Groups of common marmosets range in size from three to fifteen animals but usually average at around nine members (Ferrari 1989). Within the group three generations are usually encompassed, including one or two breeding females with one breeding male and related adults (possibly parents and/or siblings) and the breeding animals’ offspring (Ferrari and Digby 1996). Females in the group are closely related (mother, daughter, sister), while breeding males are distantly related, having immigrated from another group. When males are closely related to breeding females, they do not breed (Nievergelt et al. 2000). Unlike many other primate species, emigration (leaving the natal group) does not occur in adolescence in common marmosets. Instead, they remain in the groups until they are adults, then the males leave to find breeding females and thus establish their own family group (Ferrari & Digby 1996).

In captivity it is not always possible to sustain these family groups. Breeding in captivity is not always desired and so breeding pairs must be split up or the males have to be vasectomised. Additionally, enclosure space may not support large family units. If allowed to breed and remain in these family groups, careful planning must go to the new pairing of offspring. They do not have the option to search for mates themselves as they do in the wild, or have a place to flee if rejected, thus causing potentially dangerous situations.

Here at PPS, we have had great success with female pairings.  

Oona and Little Bea, shown above,

have formed a close bond.

In a study conducted by a laboratory testing on common marmosets, it was found that pairs of unrelated females could be grouped and were able to live together. They studied 28 pairs and of the 28 they had a successful long lasting pairing of 80%. They found that pairs in which one of the females was sexually immature (less than 15 months) had a higher success rate than those in which both females were post pubertal. In conclusion the pairing of two unrelated female individuals is a safe practice (Buchanan-Smith et al 2003).

A study was conducted regarding reproductive suppression on subordinate female marmoset monkeys. This study followed a group of up to four female marmosets all living together in one enclosure. It showed that one dominant female ruled the group and that her dominance suppressed the ovulation and reproductive cycles of the non-dominant females. Within three days of forming these female only groups, a dominance hierarchy was established that consisted of a dominant (rank 1) female and her subordinates (ranks 2 and below). The ranking order was confirmed using behavioral analysis of recorded aggressive and submissive interactions between group members. Briefly, the highest-ranking female received most submissions and the least aggression and the lowest ranking female received most aggression and the least submissions (Barrett et al 1990). This study shows that it is possible to form groups of up to four unrelated females.

Introducing one female into an already established social group of two may be harder than establishing a totally new group. Visual contact is recommended as the first step. This is followed by pairing the new animal with each member of the group in a “neutral” environment for extended periods of time to allow the new member to form affinitive social relationships with all group members before final group introduction. The new group or pair should be closely observed during the initial stages, and at regular intervals thereafter to determine compatibility. Grooming, huddling, mating and play are behaviors indicative of compatibility, whilst aggression or signs of withdrawal, fear and inactivity suggest incompatibility. Attention should also be focused on possible loss of weight and deterioration of body condition possibly resulting from social incompatibility (Buchanan-Smith 2009).

In conclusion, research has shown that it is possible for groups of unrelated female marmosets to live together in groups larger than two. Integration of a new female into an already established social group is possible but can take a lot of time and patience. A dominance hierarchy will be formed within the group and so some signs of aggression are inevitable whilst individuals try to establish this hierarchy. This has been seen to take up to three days, after which the group should stabilize. It is impossible to predict a transition will be successful. A possible consequence of creating a multi-female group could be the splitting up of an already established group. However, the new individual is typically the lowest ranking female therefore the already established group should remain intact if the larger group does not work out. The success will solely depend on the individuals involved; however as previously stated a female only social group can be created.

References
-J. Barrett, D. H. Abbott and L. M. George. Extension of Reproductive Suppression by Pheromonal Cues in Subordinate Female Marmoset Monkeys, Callithrix jacchus 1990
-B Majolo*†, H M Buchanan-Smith and K Morris 2003 Factors Affecting the Successful Pairing of Unfamiliar Common Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) Females: Preliminary Results
-Boinski S. Noon C, Stans S. Samudo R. Sammarco P. Hayes A 1994. The behavioral profile and environmental enrichment of a squirrel monkey colony. Laboratory Primate Newsletter 33 (4), 1-4.
-Dr. Hannah Buchannan Smith 2000 Considerations for the Housing and Handling Of New World Primates in the Laboratory
-Mittermeier RA, Rylands AB, Coimbra-Filho AF, da Fonseca GAB 1988. (eds). Ecology and Behavior of Neotropical Primates vol 2, Washington DC, World Wildlife Fund.
-Price EC, McGrew WC 1990. Cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus (o) oedipus) in a seminaturalistic captive colony. American Journal of Primatology 20, 1- 12 .
-Sheperdson D 1989a. Environmental Enrichment in Zoos: 2. RATEL 16, 68-73.


Special Topic: Intern Caroline
Complete Capuchin- Chapter 11-Living Together. Social interactions, relationships and social structure.

When working with primates it is sometimes difficult to decipher the difference between a welcome signal and a threat. This chapter was highly informative focusing on those indicators in Capuchin monkeys. For example, a grin or smile (jaw is closed, showing the upper and lower teeth row) which may look to us like a friendly sign, is actually not.

This mild threat expression can very quickly turn into a full on threat face (mouth wide open, showing canines and bark-like calls).

Next time you walk by the capuchin enclosure and Prospero offers you his hand think twice before extending yours. Take a minute to observe his body language, in particular his facial expressions and vocal noises.

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




Special Topic: Dawn
Spider Monkeys- Chapter 2: Morphology and evolution of spider monkey

Spider monkeys cast a distinct morphological silhouette – long scrawny arms and a snaky prehensile tail arching from a narrow pot-belly torso, topped by a small round head and blunt face, however, their energy rich diet allow the spider monkey anatomy to afford modestly enlarged brains. The anatomy of Spider monkeys closely resembles that of the Gibbon, a species considered to be among the most acrobatic arm-swingers in the world of primates.

The spine of the Spider monkey has several unique adaptations to suspensory locomotion, the most interesting of which enables the tail to twist, bend and curl up on itself, to be used in precision gripping and powerful clasping. Their acrobatic locomotive style of movement through the treetops gives them a distinct advantage over others when it comes to foraging for the best foods, with the capacity to extract an inordinate amount of its protein needs from fruit sources.

Research has expanded our sense of the uniqueness of Spider Monkeys and challenged long-held phylogenetic interpretations (Jones, 2004; Hartwig, 2005), but they have not altered the fundamental eco-morphological depiction of them as a ripe-fruit driven, upper canopy suspensory brachiator.

The complete elegance of this evolutionary package is far from what Geoffroy Staint- Hilaire had in mind when he dubbed spider monkeys genus Ateles (a reference to their lack of thumb).
-Campbell, Christina J. Spider Monkeys: The Biology, Behavior, and Ecology of the Genus Ateles (Cambridge Studies in Biological and Evolutionary Anthropology). UK. Cambridge University Press. 2008.


Special Topic: Intern Linda


Marmosets and Tamarins
Chapter 3: Experimental Multiple Hybridism and Natural Hybrids among Callithrix Species from Eastern Brazil

A wild caught monkey, taken from his parents as an infant

 and sold in a marketplace in the inhumane exotic pet trade; 

Macaco’s physical appearance suggests he may be a hybrid

Hybridism can assist in many different fields. Forming hybrids can contribute to research by obtaining genetic codes, comparing resistance or susceptibility with pure breeds, and other biological investigations. Hybrids can develop in captivity but also occur in the wild.

In nature, hybrids are rare and in wild populations are generally not seen. Due to human activities, it is possible to create a disturbed area in which two different species meet. Some of the possibilities that allow species to meet are climate change, introductions, and deforestation. These hybrid zones are very narrow and are quite uncommon. Hybrids of C. kuhli and C. penicillata are reported to have been seen in the northern parts of Rio Jequitnhonha.

As these disturbed areas are increasing in nature it is very hard for scientist to provide suggestions regarding hybrid zones. With long-term studies, skillful observations, comparisons with parent species and neighboring surroundings will provide answers.

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



True benevolence or compassion, extends itself through the whole of existence and sympathizes with the distress of every creature capable of sensation.                                              -- Joseph Addison

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.

Primate Update E-Newsletter, Vol. 3, Issue 10, Part 1

PPS PRIMATES in the SPOTLIGHT

Happy 10th Birthday Olivia!
On October 24, 2001 a tiny white-tufted eared marmoset was born at Pacific Primate Sanctuary. Her mother passed away in childbirth. Olivia, as she was later named, was cross-fostered by compassionate Sanctuary volunteers. She was lovingly cared for, dropper fed, and kept warm and safe. Once she was weaned, Olivia needed to live with other monkeys- to learn social behavior, vocalization, and to truly become who she was born to be. When Lucian arrived at PPS, rescued from a chemical testing facility, we thought he might make a wonderful companion for Olivia. The two were paired, and Olivia developed into a fully functional primate with Lucian. She was able to form a strong bond with another of her own kind. After Olivia gave birth, she matured fully, becoming a competent marmoset mother. She and Lucian carried their babies, provided them with nourishment and warmth, and protected them. Olivia and Lucian raised their family together in their outdoor enclosure, learning to forage, groom each other in the sun, explore the green world, and experience a full, rich life. Olivia will be turning 10 years old this month, and it has been inspiring to see an orphaned infant become a strong, socially successful adult marmoset!

Olivia (left) with Bianca (top) and Lucian (right)

Please help us continue to provide monkeys, such as Olivia, a home where they can live in nature with others of their own kind.
Donate now at: http://www.pacificprimate.org/help-donate.htm

SANCTUARY NEWS

The Yellow Ginger is back in season, and the monkeys at PPS have been happily enjoying this favorite treat! The highly fragrant plant contains many small yellow flowers, each with a long tubular neck full sweet nectar, similar to Honeysuckle. All that delicious nectar also attracts the ants. Olivia (left) digs through a ginger flower, searching for some tasty ants, while Miranda (right) eats the nectar filled flower.

Montana relaxes, 

enjoying his 

new environment

Spider Monkeys, Carlos and Montana appreciate their spacious enclosure. We have seen them munching on the leaves of many different plants growing in their new home, and enthusiastically exploring throughout the day. The brothers have lived their entire lives on display at local tourist attractions, living in small cages.

Carlos swings through the air!

It is a joy to see Carlos and Montana finally able to express their natural movement and brachiate, hand over hand, through the greenery from one end of their 40 foot enclosure to the other.


They are becoming healthier, stronger and more autonomous. Thank you for helping to make this possible!

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 10, Part 2

WHAT’S HAPPENING at PPS?

Gearing up for the Volunteer Expo
Pacific Primate Sanctuary will be participating in the Maui County Volunteer Expo. The Volunteer Expo will be held on Saturday, October 29th at the Queen Ka’ahumanu Center in Kahului, from 11am-1pm. This event will give us a chance to connect with the community, and let them know about the wonderful volunteer opportunities available at the Sanctuary. We are looking forward to spreading the word about PPS!


Helping the Monkeys
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!


GoodSearch and GoodShop
Looking for a Free and Easy way to raise funds for Pacific Primate Sanctuary? We are signed up with GoodSearch.com and now every time you shop online or search the internet, a donation will be made to the Sanctuary when you designate us as your charity of choice.
GoodShop.com works with more than 2,500 stores (including Target, Apple, Petsmart etc.) and every time you purchase something, a percentage will be donated to Pacific Primate Sanctuary. GoodShop also offers over 100,000 coupons and free shipping offers, so you can save money at the same time. It’s a win-win.
GoodSearch is a Yahoo powered search engine that makes a donation to us each time you do a search.
Supporting Pacific Primate Sanctuary has never been easier; please join us in using these sites to help raise money for the monkeys. Get started by clicking the “Become a Supporter” button on our profile page: http://www.goodsearch.com/nonprofit/pacific-primate-sanctuary-pps.aspx


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

With your support, you make everything we do possible!

PPS INTERNSHIP

Extern Dawn, filling water bottles

PPS Intern Annabel

Our newest Interns and Extern have progressed rapidly in their training. Extern Dawn, who arrived in June, has completed her AM and PM shift instruction and her Emergency Care module. Dawn was drawn to PPS, leaving her successful business in England. She had no previous exotic animal care experience but, with great motivation and dedication, she has mastered so much in the short time she has been at the Sanctuary! Now, Dawn will be able to deepen her understanding and skills as an animal caregiver, and she has also offered to take on some administrative tasks. Intern Linda also had a very productive month, graduating from both the AM shift and PM shift training. With her past experience working in a Vet Clinic, Linda was also able to complete her Emergency Care module in no time. Our newest Intern, Annabel, who came to PPS from England, has also completed her AM and PM shift protocol training. We have already begun Annabel’s instruction in Emergency Care, which she is very eager to learn. Intern Caroline graduated from both AM and PM shifts as well as Emergency Care training a couple months ago, and is sharing her skills with Dawn, Linda and Annabel. This powerful PPS team can now begin to learn about Colony Management!

Current PPS Interns and Externs: Linda, Caroline, Dawn and Annabel

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 10, Part 3

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Special Topic: Intern Linda
Marmosets and Tamarins
Chapter 2: A vocal taxonomy of the Callitrichids

Saddleback Tamarins have highly complex vocalizations.

Vocalizations in Callitrichids serve many functions. The long or loud calls are used in species identification, mate attraction, and for defense. These calls are important in reproductive isolation and identification of species because the vocalizations are species-specific. Long calls have been well studied and are used to defend against intruders of the same species, to keep a group together, and for finding a mate.


Below is a phylogeny tree showing the evolution of marmosets, tamarins, and other closely related monkeys, by Rosenberger and Coimbra-Filho (1984). Craniodental (teeth and skull) features are used to determine the specie relationships.

Through this interpretation, it is possible that tamarins separated earlier than marmosets and therefore live in different environments. Tamarin calls have a frequency range that is lower than callitrichids and can travel for longer distances. They are found in the Atlantic Forest with much less noise than other Amazon regions. In contrast, marmoset calls are very high in frequency but rapidly decline as it goes into the distance. This is due to the immense number of competing noises that are found in the Amazon. Marmosets have adapted by having a high-pitched long call to avoid being masked by other sounds.


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


Special Topic: Intern Caroline
The Complete Capuchin
Chapter 10. Fancy manipulators. Capuchins use objects as tools.


Capuchin monkeys use tools in the wild, as well as in captivity, to achieve a common goal. Capuchins frequently use tools in captivity similar to other primates, such as chimpanzees. However, there is less evidence of tool usage by capuchins in the wild, perhaps due to their arboreal nature. Hundreds of years ago tool usage by capuchins had already been reported. In Panama, 500 years ago, capuchins were observed cracking nuts after seeing men open the nuts with stones. The men would leave the nuts where capuchins could reach them and the capuchins would then crack the nuts with the stones.


-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
Chapter 6: Foraging for Prey

Marmosets at PPS hang upside down to 

access a treat filled bamboo feeder

In a study comparing habits of five new world monkey species, foraging was for all a major, if not the major activity, occupying from 15% to 49% of their waking lives. Tamarin species spend most of their time hunting on tree trunks and branches. Tamarins are dedicated leaf foragers, and devote between 85 to 90% of their attention to this class of substrate.


This foraging behavior can be seen and encouraged in the tamarin and marmoset species at PPS. Bamboo feeders can be placed inside enclosures. These require the monkeys to manipulate the feeders in order to get to the treats inside. This mimics natural behaviors with increased foraging times being more similar to what would be seen in the wild. The tamarins and marmosets also have green rooms filled with various selections of plants and trees. The monkeys can use these environments to for hunt insects on the leaves and branches, thus exhibiting natural behaviors.


-Moynihan, Martin. (1976). The New World Primates. Adaptive Radiation and the Evolution of Social Behavior, Languages, and Intelligence. Princeton University Press


Special Topic: Extern Dawn
The ethnoprimatology of spider monkeys (Ateles spp.) from past to present


Human and nonhuman primates share a relatively recent history of interaction in the New World (the Americas) in comparison with the Old World (Africa and Asia).


Primatologists tend to focus their research on understanding the behavior and ecology of a particular primate species or subspecies. One of the most studied aspects of human-nonhuman interactions has involved human development and deforestation of primate habitat over the last 500 years. With so many of the world’s primate species endangered or threatened, such an approach is logical, meaningful, and most certainly critical for understanding the consequences of human behavior to the quite literal survival of many nonhuman primate species.

Carlos at PPS

In a broad view of perceptions of human and nonhuman animal life, Viveiros de Castro (1998/1999) has made the observation that it is common in cosmologies of indigenous Amazonian peoples to view Spider monkeys as former human beings. Rather than the popular Western view of humanity representing an evolutionary ‘stage’ following an earlier, less differentiated nonhuman primate “stage”, it is thought that contemporary monkeys are transformed beings who were human in a prior form of their existence. Interestingly, it has also been noted that Spider monkeys behave differently toward women than to men (D. Urdaneta, personal communication). 


Beliefs regarding spider monkeys are categorized into those involving “transformation” and those involving “contagion”. The first involves myths where spider monkeys are transformed human beings as mentioned earlier. The second involves either positive or negative attributes that can be conferred to human beings through contact with spider monkeys (and sometimes vice versa).


In summary, given how frequently the generic category of “monkey” appears in Central and South American myths, it is clear that spider monkey symbolism remains an area that needs further exploration.


-Campbell, Christina J. Spider Monkeys: The Biology, Behaviour, and Ecology of the Genus Ateles (Cambridge Studies in Biological and Evolutionary Anthropology). UK. Cambridge University Press. 2008.

“Our task must be to free ourselves…by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures, the whole of nature, and all its beauty.”                — Albert Einstein




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.

We mourn the passing of our precious Viola…

On March 10, 2008 PPS Interns Erin and Tez were awakened by loud noises at the Capuchin enclosures. In the dark, they were barely able to discern Miracle giving birth to a tiny infant. Early the next morning, this precious little being was found lying on the ground, cold and barely breathing. Her life was hanging by a thread, and we needed to respond quickly. She was pulled out of the enclosure, warmed and given food.

The first few weeks were a critical period for baby Viola. Sanctuary interns worked around the clock to care for her, waking several times each night to provide food and comfort. In her role as primary caregiver, Intern Erin found that opening her heart fully to this amazing being was vital to the infant’s survival.

Viola grew rapidly during her first several months. She became more alert, and examined her surroundings. Soon she was climbing, exploring her environment, and eating solid food. Finally, after five months of constant care, it was time for the baby to return to her own kind. Viola was released into the large enclosure with her Grandmother, Miranda. It was a beautiful sight; Miranda was so protective and caring. In short time, the adventurous youngster was running and playing in her new environment. She bonded with Miranda. We were excited to see this human reared monkey climb onto her Grandmother’s back, and hang on as Miranda carried her from branch to branch.

Over the next 2½ years Viola grew into a beautiful young Capuchin. She was so full of life and joy and was constantly exploring her outdoor enclosure. Miranda taught her how to groom with citrus fruit, and the two monkeys often played together, chasing and wrestling. Viola also loved to paint; she would choose colors from the paint palette and spread them all around on a canvas using her hands, feet, tail or a paintbrush. (See the video Viola Paints on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/pacificprimate)
Viola was bright, inquisitive, and full of energy- always running, jumping, swinging and bouncing. She touched the heart of anyone who came into contact with her, and was truly loved by all.
Viola passed away on August 28, 2011. Her loss is really too profound for words.

SANCTUARY NEWS

Several weeks ago we placed cotton top tamarins Armando and Eudora next door to one another. We watched them carefully, to see if they were interested in being companions. The two showed immediate interest, eating side-by-side and gazing inquisitively at one another. Anytime Eudora’s portable enclosure was moved away, Armando would follow to see where she went. With such positive interactions, we knew it was time to attempt a pairing! Eudora’s portable enclosure was pushed right up to Armando’s, and her door was opened into his enclosure. Eudora was nervous about entering into the new space, but Armando quickly entered her enclosure and explored a little bit. After a few minutes, Eudora followed her new companion into his outdoor enclosure. This happy pair explored together during the day, and cuddled close together in their sleeping cube on the first night.

Little Bea explores

her new home

White-tufted eared marmosets, Oona and Little Bea, were moved into a new enclosure this month. They have both really been enjoying their larger space, and spend most of their time exploring the outdoor portion. Oona is often seen soaking up the warm sunshine first thing in the morning.

Please help us continue to provide a place where monkeys like Armando, Eudora, Oona and Little Bea can live in social groups in the natural world.
Donate now at: http://www.pacificprimate.org/help-donate.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 9, Part 2

WHAT’S HAPPENING at PPS?

COO Erin and Intern Caroline represented Pacific Primate Sanctuary at the Seabury Hall Volunteer Fair. Seabury is a local High School, and each year they bring in non-profit organizations to speak to the students about volunteer opportunities within the community. Many students were very interested to learn more about the Sanctuary, and quite a few left with Volunteer Applications! We are looking forward to hearing back, and bringing in some new Volunteers.

PPS Intern, Caroline, speaks with interested students at Seabury Hall

Thank You to Nick for all your help around the Sanctuary over the summer! Nick has been volunteering at PPS every Sunday for the last several months, doing a wide variety of projects. He built a new compost box, pruned, fixed drawers, and latches, powerwashed, and helped get rid of slugs just to name a few of the wonderful things he has accomplished. It has truly been a pleasure having his good energy here, and we are all in awe of his skills and amazing fix-it abilities. Nick had to head back to the mainland but he has told us he will be coming back and we all look forward to seeing him again.



Helping the Monkeys
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, and volunteering your time and skills please e-mail us at PPS@aloha.net. We are looking for Animal Caregiver Volunteers, as well as Office Assistants, Handymen and Handywomen, and Gardeners/Landscapers.

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

With your support, you make everything we do possible!

PPS INTERNSHIP

Welcome to our newest Resident Intern, Annabel
Annabel traveled all the way from Kent, England to be our September 2011-2012 Resident Intern! She has recently completed a degree in Animal Conservation and Biodiversity. Annabel has experience working with gorillas at Howlett’s Zoo, as well as working with baboons at the Born Free Foundation. She also spent a year studying the effect of different forms of enrichment on black and white ruffed lemurs.

Annabel writes:
Thank you for the invitation to join your team for an internship. I am so excited to come and join you all and feel I can learn so much whilst there. My aims of the internship are to become a responsible and capable animal caregiver, responding to the… needs of the primates and helping to enrich their lives. I aim to be efficient in the administration of medical care to the animals... I also wish to learn as much as I can about the primate species I will be looking after, as I have not worked with these before therefore it will be a perfect opportunity to familiarize myself with these species.


…Pacific Primate Sanctuary seems like such a lovely place where the animals really do come first and it will be so interesting to see the differences between PPS and the other animal institutions I have worked in. I hope that the knowledge that I gain at the end of the internship will enable me to give excellent care to all primates that I work with in the future.


I do not know how I will feel when my internship comes to an end. I may be a bit homesick or I may want to stay forever. All I do know is that once a place has become my home I will always be back.


…thank you so much for the opportunity to become part of your team.

Annabel is passionate about working with primates, and we are all excited to have her here at Pacific Primate Sanctuary. She has already begun her training, and has shown great enthusiasm and competence.




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 9, Part 3

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Special Topic: Intern Caroline
Complete Capuchin: Chapter 9. Engaging the world. Exploration and problem solving.

Miranda and Viola examine

the inside of a fig

Capuchin monkeys are initially interested in opening up, getting inside, taking apart and also the altering of objects and surfaces. Capuchins in captive situations especially enjoy manipulation, since constant tampering with objects can take an entertaining or exploratory tone. It often appears that the monkey is trying out new actions for the pleasure of mastering something. This can be seen when giving the capuchins at PPS a lilikoi fruit filled with sunflower seeds (with only a small hole to get the seeds out). The capuchins begin biting at the fruit and sticking their fingers inside and sometimes even throwing the fruit to get the seeds out.

A study also showed that capuchin monkeys (of all ages) frequently splashed water out of a pan and often would throw bits of straw or food into the pan, then scoop them out, and repeat the process. We see this at the Sanctuary when Prospero soaks his bread repeatedly in water before eating it, or Viola dips her tail or hand in the water dish to drink or splash the water. These behaviors illustrate the remarkable ways capuchin monkeys use their hands, tail and feet, and the innovative techniques with which they explore their world and solve problems.

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


Special Topic: Extern Dawn
Chapter 11: Immaturity in spider monkeys

Play is a very important part of life for primates, a critical factor in the socialization process. Primates are noted for their long period of immaturity; in fact, the length of this period relative to the total life span is the most unusual aspect of growth and development in non-human primates.

Those primates with the largest relative brain sizes appear to have the longest juvenile periods, and spider monkeys exemplify this trend as anyone who has met PPS spider monkeys, Carlos and Montana will confirm. An invitation to play may consist of the shaking of a tree, or in our case, a red bucket and this will be followed by lots of excitement, backing up and racing forward until the invitee reciprocates.

Interesting to note, the feeding behavior of the spider monkey suggests that some chemical components in fruits interact with their chemosensory receptors to permit them to gauge these foods in terms of dietary quality. In view of this, their preference for certain fruits should be taken very seriously as Carlos and Montana, do in fact know best!

Males are more gregarious then females and preferentially seek out the company of other males as they mature, directing most of their aggression toward females, so if you ever get concerned that our guys are in need of the fairer sex, think again. They are quite happy and content, even though with those beautiful blue eyes, the girls are really missing out!

Spider monkeys brothers, Carlos and Montana, Hugging

-Campbell, Christina J. Spider Monkeys: The Biology, Behaviour, and Ecology of the Genus Ateles (Cambridge Studies in Biological and Evolutionary Anthropology). UK. Cambridge University Press. 2008.



Special Topic: Intern Linda
Marmosets and Tamarins Chapter 1: Systematics, Distribution and Conservation

This chapter introduces the species taxonomy, location and status. Different species are characterized by behavior, dental morphology, and immunology. Here at the sanctuary there are three different species of marmosets and two different species of tamarins. The table below summarizes each species’ common name, location, and conservation status.

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

Callithrix Kuhlii, Father and Son at PPS

“…the natural world is in a real crisis situation, but there are all around the planet extraordinary people who are absolutely determined that certain animal species or plants or ecosystems shall be helped to restore themselves.” -Jane Goodall


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 73 primates saved from research laboratories, animal dealers, and smugglers. Here they can heal, form families, and live free from exploitation.

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