SANCTUARY LIFE Primarily Primates rescues unprecedented number of animals

PRIMARILY PRIMATES RESCUES UNPRECEDENTED NUMBER OF ANIMALS

BY DUSTIN RHODES AND NICOLE RIVARD

When we heard that a struggling California sanctuary was closing, we immediately started assessing the groupings of our animals at Primarily Primates—the 78-acre Texas-based sanctuary that Friends of Animals has managed since 2007—to determine if we could take in any of the primates.

Primarily Primates (PPI) is home to more than 300 animals, most of whom are primates, including chimpanzees, gibbons, macaques, capuchins, spider monkeys, lemurs and more.

We determined last fall that we could rescue 10 primates immediately. However, PPI did not receive any placement fees for our newest residents. Rather, we’re depending on our generous community of supporters to sponsor them. You can get to know the animals here:

JACK & JANET Jack and Janet, both 14, are a half brother-sister baboon duo, who were privately owned as pets and used in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles before being relinquished to the sanctuary because of the cost to keep them (California required an expensive insurance policy, so their owner eventually turned them over). Janet is a

SAX Sax is a spunky and affectionate 11-year-old black-andwhite-ruffed lemur, who is very vocal. Her roaring calls can be heard across the sanctuary. Sax is quite the acrobat, too. She loves to climb across the ceiling of her enclosure and even hang upside down like a bat. She and Aludra, the ruffed lemur companion she was introduced to, seem to be two peas in a pod despite a 20-year age difference. They enjoy grooming and basking in the sun. Sax loves grapes, puzzle feeders and stuffed animals.

BENNY Benny, 30, lives with Rowdy, but unlike him he is a very shy and timid capuchin. Benny loves to patrol his habitat and enjoys anything with wheels, especially toy trucks. One of the sweetest capuchins at the sanctuary, according to his caretakers and the staff at PPI, he overcomes his shyness once he gets to know you.

hamadryas baboon, while Jack is a hamadryas and olive hybrid. They are being slowly introduced (there is a temporary barrier between the two habitats while everyone gets acclimated to one another) to our resident baboons Olive and Saffron, both of whom are olive baboons. Janet and Saffron hit it off immediately; Jack adores Saffron, too. Olive is a little more cautious but warming up to them each day. By the time you receive this magazine their full introduction will have taken place, and everyone is expecting that they’ll all be fast friends.

SQUIRT Squirt, an 8-year-old capuchin, already has a new BFF. It was friends-at-first-sight for Squirt and Coco, a longtime resident of the PPI. They instantly started grooming one another and sitting side by side observing the local excitement from neighboring habitats. Squirt also enjoys “anointing” himself with fresh garlic (rubbing an aromatic substance all over is a natural behavior for capuchins in the wild to keep pests away).

ROWDY Rowdy, 19, is PPI’s latest Mr. Congeniality, as his zest for life, friendliness and constant singing make it impossible not to fall instantly in love with him. He is fascinated by and practically obsessed with beards and has a range of hobbies, including playing a capuchin-sized drum set and admiring his looks in the mirror. He hates loud noises, though, so staff try to be extra careful when cleaning not to arouse his delicate sensibilities (there are a few animals at the sanctuary that despise loud noises—like cleaning and maintenance equipment). Rowdy is personable, sweet, fun loving and endlessly curious.

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SELINA, NORMA & MIGHTY FINE Chimpanzee Selina is 27 and was subjected to research along with Norma and Mighty Fine by the now defunct Laboratory for Experimental Medicine & Surgery in Primates at New York University. She is tall in stature and has a beautiful face with some white hair around her chin. She loves to play chase but she also loves to be still and observe everything that’s going on around her. She grooms Mighty Fine daily and loves mangos, strawberries, grapes and bread.

Norma is 28 years old. She’s not shy about getting as much rest and relaxation as possible—she spends 90% of her time laying down. She loves all the same food her companion Selina does but she also loves onions and will carry them around to eat later. She has brown coloring all throughout her face.

Mighty Fine is also 28 years old. His short stature gives him the appearance of a much younger chimp. A small pink spot in the middle of his head and above his lip make him easily identifiable. It seems he likes his markings as he enjoys looking at himself in mirrors. He also enjoys using burlap sacks and foraging with his female companions.

JOSEPHINE At 35 years old, you’d think Josephine the capuchin would be slowing down. But that’s not the case. She is full of attitude and runs around the yard with some of PPI’s other old-timers, Tootsie and Corky. Josephine is an explorer and always on the move searching for food and other interesting items. Her habitat is filled with bamboo and lots of hiding places. She enjoys interacting with the staff and Corky and Tootsie too. Mostly she just seems happy to be enjoying her golden years in the company of new friends.

HERE FOR OUR FEATHERED FRIENDS Around the same time that PPI stepped up to help the struggling California sanctuary, PPI also came to the rescue in a Texas cruelty case.

In addition to rescuing primates and providing them with a forever home, PPI’s mission is to raise awareness about why primates shouldn’t be—and aren’t—good pets. But we also have a flock of about 70 other friends here at PPI who many people also unsuccessfully tried to keep as companion animals—exotic birds.

From left: Chimpanzee Norma, a pineappple green-cheeked conure; chimpanzee Mighty Fine, pygmy goat Vincent, capuchin Josephine, pygmy goat Billie Jean and our resident Sarus crane.

Our spacious aviary and parrot house, both featuring branches and trees for perching and exposure to warm sunlight and protection from the elements, allow these birds space to fly and express their wild behaviors, unlike what they experienced living in tiny enclosures in pet homes. And our care staff is armed with research, the right husbandry training, lots of patience and knowledge of a proper diet to provide birds with the best care possible. That’s why in the fall PPI stepped up and rescued several parrots who were seized in a hoarding case. Deputies were dispatched to a West Bexar County, Texas, property because of reports of animal cruelty. They discovered several malnourished dogs and other animals living in unhealthy conditions. Investigators seized 17 dogs, several parrots and goats.

PPI also rescued two pygmy goats from the home. When Vincent and Billie Jean arrived, they were apprehensive. The goats were not used to receiving human touch because they were basically used as lawn mowers inside of dilapidated parrot enclosures on the Bexar County property and did not interact with humans. Now they follow staff around everywhere. They like belly and head scratches. They will be joining the small goat herd on the farm side of the sanctuary.

The new parrots, who were malnourished and had to be treated for parasites, include two sun conures, one pineapple conure, two Quakers and four blue and gold macaws. Sun conures are bold in appearance and in personality. They are known for their vocalizing as well as their playfulness and adventurous nature. Likewise, Quaker parrots are known for being social and building strong community bonds. Interestingly, wild Quakers are the only parrot to build nests.

Our longtime aviary residents, including a five-and-a half foot tall Sarus crane, Nicabar pigeon, ibis, cockatiels and love birds are making our new residents feel right at home.

Will you become a monthly sponsor of one of our new residents? You can set up sponsorship for as little as $10 a month by visiting Primarily Primates’ website (primarilyprimates.org) or by calling Joseph, Primarily Primates’ office manager, at (830) 755-4616.