Hello Monkey Adopters!
Texas was ravaged by an extraordinary winter storm in February. Our team prepared for the freezing weather, ensuring all the monkeys had proper shelter and heat, but no one predicted the catastrophic power outages that left much of the state without electricity. Thankfully, our monkeys remained warm in their propane-heated houses. And, when our water pump broke down and the pipes froze, our dedicated staff swung into action with ice picks to ensure all the monkeys had access to clean drinking water throughout the freeze.
Thanks to the generous support of our dedicated sanctuary friends like you, we had the resources and staff to keep all our monkeys safe and warm. Your compassionate donations not only provide for the monkeys’ everyday needs, such as nutritious food, veterinary care, and enrichment, but also enable us to meet unexpected and life-threatening challenges. Thanks to you, the monkeys are thriving!
Please scroll down to read about the monkeys’ recent adventures. I hope you enjoy the monkey tales we have collected for you!
Thank you for renewing your adoption or considering adopting another monkey! You are the backbone of the sanctuary!
Mrs. Wilkin and Anna
Mrs. Wilkin and Anna have been with us for over a year, and they have made the most of their time with us so far. While Mrs. Wilkin never lacked confidence, her quieter companion, Anna, was much shyer than her elderly friend when she arrived. We are delighted to see her confidence bloom as she developed trust in her caregivers and grew more in her new home. The pair can often be found chatting with their next-door neighbors, Taz and Connie.
Mrs. Wilkin’s health remains relatively stable, but we are aware that she is now in end-of-life care. She still enjoys life to the fullest, and she loves stomping around her enclosure, demanding treats from caregivers, and grooming and sunbathing with Anna. Despite this, she has irreversible health conditions, and we do not know how much longer she might be with us. Our team closely monitors for any changes in health or behavior. If, at any point, we feel that she is suffering, we will do all we can to help her on her way in peace. In the meantime, both Mrs. Wilkin and Anna remind us daily how a new life is possible even after decades of neglect and harm.
Marlin, Violet, and Presley
Our little family of three baboons – Marlin, Violet, and Presley – have completely settled into life at the sanctuary as we mark their one-year anniversary. Marlin established himself as brave protector of this small troop and keeps a close eye on goings on around the enclosure, which he shares with his two daughters. If he sees anything that concerns him – perhaps a new member of staff he doesn’t recognize – he puffs up his impressive fur coat and struts confidently around, showing off his excellent physique in a display of strength and protectiveness.
Violet is the friendlier of the two half-sisters and regularly seeks out the company of her family, her neighbors, and sometimes even the caregivers in her mission to make friends. Presley, on the other hand, is more reticent, spending time grooming with her family and neighbors, Kaleb and Darwin, but remaining more wary of caregivers.
Betsy
Betsy sadly lost her long-term companion, Bruce, in late summer last year. The staff has given Betsy extra attention and enrichment to keep her active and busy. Betsy is extremely elderly and has mobility problems that prevent her from being socialized with other monkeys at this stage in her life, as she has to live in a specially adapted space with ramps and ladders that allow her to get around effectively. Bruce, who also had age-related mobility issues, also benefitted from the space but it would be too restrictive for our younger, more mobile baboons.
We are heartened to see is how Kaleb, who lives next door to Betsy, keeps her company and chats to her through the fence. She also remains interested in her neighbors in the other direction – Marlin, Violet, and Presley – and is in high spirits, despite her loss.
Buddy
Buddy continues to thrive and grow as he and best friend, Elvis, rule the roost in their spacious enclosure, which they share with five older females and younger male, Dane, who tags along with the troublesome pair on a regular basis. Our expanded and improved enrichment program, led by our caregivers, adds extra interest and fun into Buddy’s days and helps to give his inquisitive mind and active body things to stay busy and engaged. Whether it is a tasty food-based puzzle that he needs to figure out, a new toy to play with, or a sensory item, he and his friends love their enrichment!
Grinch and Mig
In warm weather, the bonnet macaques will spend a lot of their time foraging outdoors but, during the winter months, they enjoy cuddling up with their friends in the warm. In particular, Grinch seeks the company of Eki (otherwise known as Lil’ Bit) and Mig spends her cuddle time with LeMond. When caretakers approach the enclosure, it can sometimes be difficult to work out were one monkey ends and another begins as the bonnets can often be found in what staff refer to as a “cuddle puddle!” Both Grinch and Mig are happy and healthy monkeys who are well-loved by their friends and enjoy life in their close-knit group.
Teddy
Teddy remains one of our most energetic and communicative residents and, with her seemingly infinite, bouncing energy, she is constantly on the go. Whether it is making a fun game out of playing with the water hose used to clean her enclosure each day – dodging in and out of the stream of water with her mouth open in a delighted play face; bounding over to caregivers as they pass by to see what treats they have for her, or trying to ambush them with a grab if they haven’t spotted her; calling to her friends (both monkey and human) with her trademark (and very loud) happy greeting; or chasing her best friend, Mikey, in a frenetic game of “tag,” Teddy never sits still for a moment!
Khy and Dawkins
Khy and Dawkins have had a very exciting time of late as they moved enclosures and now live right in the thick of things at the center of the sanctuary. The two boys were living in a stand-alone enclosure in a quieter part of the site while they got used to one another and settled into their new-found friendship. They now have new neighbors, which is very exciting for all involved! Khy, in particular, is fascinated to hear and see the monkeys in the nearby five-acre enclosure, Kyoto, which houses around 60 Japanese macaques. When he lived in the same part of the site some years ago, the enclosure did not exist, so this new development has been the main focus of his interest since he arrived in his new home!
Gizmo
Gizmo and his friends have had a fun few months interacting with a number of different new neighbors. The space next to their enclosure was being used as a recovery area for monkeys who were recuperating after illness or vet treatment, before they are well enough to rejoin their own social groups. This means the boys in Gizmo’s gang have met monkeys they would not normally get to interact with. They are not always 100% welcoming of the new arrivals and will sometimes try to quarrel with one another through the fence, but Gizmo and Co. are generally fascinated with their next door visitors!
Nala
Despite her advancing years, Nala remains queen of her family troop and retains the respect and love of everyone. Her group loves the improved enrichment program that our caregivers are delivering and they are particularly fascinated with mirrors that they are given to play with. They enjoy admiring themselves and also angling them towards their objects of interest (often caregivers) to spy on them as they go about their day. While her sons are now significantly larger than her in size, Nala continues to rule the roost with a firm but fair hand.
Creed and Oscar
Creed and Oscar are thriving here at the sanctuary and remain steadfast friends. The pair never seems to quarrel and will be found snuggling up in their sleeping box at night, or grooming one another during the day.
This last year, the enclosure next to theirs has been used as a temporary home for monkeys who are being moved to other enclosures on site. This means that Creed and Oscar have had a number of fascinating new neighbors to watch and interact with. They remain two of the most content monkeys at the sanctuary, loving to sit high up in their enclosure looking out into the distance, playing happily with the water in their drinking buckets, or just lying in the sunshine and relaxing.
Billie
Billie is pleased that the weather is warming up as, of all the monkeys, she is known for liking to be warm and cozy. In the winter months, Billie is last to emerge from her heated warm room in the mornings and will bring her blanket with her, wrapping it around herself and just leaving her little face peeking out.
When the sun is shining, Billie loves nothing more than being out and about in the sunshine. She sits close to and chats with her friends, Bouf and Charles. When younger vervet, Mikey, joins Billie and Bouf, Billie keeps the youngster in line. If Mikey oversteps a mark, Billie will reprimand him. This is an important part of growing up for Mikey, who must learn to fit well into his social group so, while it may seem that Billie lacks patience with him, she is helping him to learn important life lessons!
For the Monkeys,
Liz
