Leading animal welfare and conservation non-profit, Born Free USA, has welcomed a new monkey resident to its primate sanctuary in South Texas. The monkey, a rhesus macaque, was found running loose in Laredo, TX on Valentine’s Day and was hit by a car, suffering serious head injuries. He was rushed to a local vet clinic, Critter Care, where staff took quick action to save his life. Keeping a primate without a permit is illegal within Laredo city limits and no permit has been issued by Laredo Animal Control for a monkey fitting the juvenile’s description. After being held by Animal Control for the requisite length of time to declare him a stray, legal ownership was passed to Born Free USA.
The monkey, named Pablito by the vet clinic staff, has begun a new life at the refuge in south Texas, one of the largest accredited sanctuaries in the nation, where he will be allowed to recover from his trauma and live out his life with other monkeys. He is estimated to be around three years old. Rhesus macaques like Pablito can live into their thirties.
Said Born Free’s Sanctuary Director, Dr. Liz Tyson-Griffin:
“It is a miracle that Pablito was not killed when he was hit by a car. I cannot imagine the pain and fear that this young monkey has suffered. The cruel trade in primates as pets tears babies away from their mothers at just a few weeks old. They then endure an unnatural life, which often ends with them being permanently caged when they become too dangerous for owners to handle. I am delighted that Pablito’s story did not end in a cage or on that Laredo road. He now has a second chance under our care.”
Following a thorough health check, which revealed that Pablito was both underweight and anemic, he will complete a quarantine period before being introduced to some of the sanctuary’s other residents. It is likely that this will be the first time he has seen another monkey since he was sold into the trade.
Born Free USA works to see the trade in primates as pets banned across the country and is lobbying for the introduction of the Captive Primate Safety Act. The law would prohibit the private keeping of monkeys as pets as well as their interstate commerce.
Tyson-Griffin added:
“Without a nationwide ban, legal trade will continue to mask illegal sales and primates will continue to suffer in private hands. Keeping monkeys and other wild animals as pets has significant welfare implications for the animals and is a risk to public safety. As well as the risk of serious injury, Rhesus macaques are often carriers of Herpes B – a virus which is deadly in 70-80% of cases in humans if untreated. The risk is simply not worth it. We implore the public to support the ban in the interest of public safety and animal welfare.”
The Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary is home to more than 200 monkeys. Many of the residents are rescued from the pet trade, laboratories, or zoos. To provide the animals with the safest and most peaceful recovery, the sanctuary is not open to the public. Those interested in the sanctuary’s work can symbolically adopt a monkey to support its monkey residents. Learn more at bornfreeusa.org/primate-sanctuary.
To support Pablito as he starts his new life at the sanctuary, please visit bornfreeusa.org/pablito.
