$1
Weekly hillcountryweekly.com
BERGHEIM • BOERNE • COMFORT • FAIR OAKS • KENDALIA • SISTERDALE • WARING • WELFARE
Thursday, November 5
Fair Oaks Local
SEEKING PUMPKINS for Fall-Loving Primates Bringing the pumpkin patch
to the primates
Miranda Koerner Hill Country Weekly Although the primates at Primarily Primates probably wouldn’t have been allowed to stroll around the pumpkin patch even without COVID-19 restrictions, Fair Oaks Ranch resident Natalie Schun decided to bring the pumpkin patch to them. Schun, a FOR newcomer last year, discovered Primarily Primates when she was searching for a place to donate her Halloween pumpkins. “Having moved to the Hill Country last year, and being involved with local animal welfare organizations in our prior state, I wanted to see if any animal sanctuaries exist in our area,” Schun said. “After a quick Google search, I learned of Primarily Primates, the nation’s longest running primate sanctuary. It is located right here in our own backyard! Since Halloween was just around the corner, I wondered if they could use our community’s pumpkins. They said yes, and our community responded to my plea with an overwhelming yes! Here we are, back to do it for a second year!” Schun put out a call on social media and FaceBook for more pumpkins and set out a collection spot in her yard. She will deliver the pumpkins to the anxious primates on Nov. 7. When contacted for comment, Primarily Primates staff did not respond. However, their FaceBook page is brimming with photos of the costumed residents enjoying themselves
on Halloween and Pumpkin Day, where the primates were treated to fruit and veggies stuffed in pumpkins for an ‘enrichment’ snack. They even have two new residents! “COVID-19 may have put matchmaking on hold for humans, but at our sanctuary the last few months have seen some successful introductions, including java macaque Milano and long-tailed macaque Hillary,” Primarily Primates FaceBook page reads. “All signs point to happily ever after—Milano and Hillary spend most of their time cooing at each other and grooming.” According to the Primarily Primates Web page, Milano arrived to the facility in 2010 after being rescued from a research facility in New Jersey along with 25 other java macaques housed there. Hilary arrived at Primarily Primates in 2016 from John Hopkins University, where she had been used to test radiotracing. Along with monkeys and chimpanzees, the facility also supports lemurs, goats, birds and wild horses. “Due to COVID-19, many non-profits have seen decreased funding and have been forced to operate with minimal volunteers,” Schun said. “Any community support will directly help the 300 plus animals in their care, while also showing appreciation for the long days and hard work given from their handlers. Hats off to the community for giving to the animals so willingly, and hats off to the staff
and volunteers of Primarily Primates for their efforts in providing a safe refuge for formerly abused and abandoned animals.” Along with her Nov. 7 run, Schun will make a second run after Thanksgiving. Last year she collected around 40 pumpkins and is hoping to donate her donation load. She is also seeking peanut butter, dried fruit, dried cereal and unsalted nuts. “These items are used for enrichment programs to help stave off boredom and keep the animals actively engaged,” Schun said. “Food parties are thrown periodically and the best part is that supporters can view many of these events on their social media sites. The staff, volunteers, and animals who will be so appreciative that the community has thought of them for a second year.” Although visitors aren’t allowed to the center, Primarily Primates stays engaged on social media, even throwing a gender reveal via chimpanzees for one of their volunteers, though they extended the invitation to do the same for their followers. The volunteers even throw birthday parties for their furry friends. After having to reduce volunteers due to COVID-19 restrictions, even the animals needed a little perking up after months of COVID-fatigue! If you’re interested in contributing to Schun’s pumpkin drive, e-mail natiewoo@gmail.com. For more information about Primarily Primates, visit primarilyprimates.org.
