Video Gallery: Everyday Life
Splish Splash it's a Monkey Bath
While Texas is experiencing one of the worst droughts in its recorded history, the monkeys at the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary www.bornfreeusa.org go about their monkey business. Staff members work hard to make sure everyone has plenty of water, and the monkeys long ago figured out that a dip in a water tub followed by a windy drying off in the shade is a great way to keep cool. The splish splashes of monkeys playing in the water or canon-balling into their water troughs can be heard in every enclosure, and most every monkey seen these days is either wet or about to get wet again. As you can see, some primates jump in with all they're worth, while others take their time, just dipping a hand - or stick - into the water to get a cool drink. And it's a good thing the monkeys know what to do to stay cool, as it looks like we could be in for a dangerously hot and dry summer. The drought is affecting the sanctuary in other ways, too, as produce prices have risen sharply and the amount of donated or low-priced produce has dwindled down to only a trickle. Each week we have to spend more to get less food for the monkeys, and it's not just produce: our dry feed is now costing more as a result of higher gasoline prices. We've already spent more on monkey food so far this year than we had by August of last year, and we could use some help. Please just click the blue "donation" button on this page. Or Go Nuts! Go Bananas! Or adopt a primate! www.bornfreeusa.org And feel good about <b>...</b>
Ice Breaker
Staff members Esteban Ramirez and Gabriel Ramirez break ice in the baboon lockout areas to make sure the primates have access to fresh water after several days of exceptionally frigid weather at the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary.
Bruce in the Snow
Bruce, a rescued hamadryas baboon residing at the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary, doesn't appear to be too fazed by the snow.
Snacking at the Sanctuary
Meal time is a great time at the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary. Monkeys scurry behind, above and about the "food truck" as it delivers bananas and other treats. More than 500 primates call the Dilley, Texas, sanctuary home. Please consider "adopting" one of the primates by visiting www.bornfreeusa.org/sanctuary today.
Snow Monkeys Grooming at the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary
Two Snow Monkeys residing at the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary enjoy a grooming session on a windy spring day. In addition to maintaining hygiene this behavior reinforces social bonds and reduces stress. The act is just as important to the groomer as it is to the groomee and when denied the opportunity to engage in this instinctual behavior primates of all species suffer a significant reduction in quality of life. Video: Tim Ajax - April 2, 2010
More of longtail macaques grooming in a tree
Recently released into their 5-acre free-range enclosure at the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary, these former laboratory residents now live a natural life amidst acres of heavily wooded and other lush vegetation.
Monkeys at the beach
Snow monkeys forage along the beach in their large free-range enclosure at the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary.
Sanctuary monkeys play in trees
Snow monkeys at the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary frolic in the trees within their large, free-range enclosure.
Sanctuary monkeys hanging out
Rescued macaques enjoy life as a family group at the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary.
Life at the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary
A quick glimpse into life for rescued primates at the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary in Texas. Snow monkeys in free range enclosures are able to live life as freely as possible in captivity. Adopt a monkey from the Sanctuary at www.bornfreeusa.org