Baboons Zeus, Monet, and Calliope, sit calmly on the grass in a huge open space, filled with trees, and fun climbing structures. They eat fresh fruit and vegetables until their bellies are full, then settle down to groom with their new friends; gently picking through their fur in a sweet bonding activity.
Meanwhile, in another part of the accredited sanctuary the animals live in, a pair of vervet monkeys, Blue and Bear, playfully chase their companions around. Jumping, running, and climbing is the order of the day as these agile little monkeys make the most of their huge enclosure.
A Life of Suffering at a Roadside Zoo
Life before the sanctuary could not have been more different for the five monkeys. All were rescued as part of a major confiscation effort from the notorious West Coast Game Park Safari in Oregon. The owner of the zoo was indicted on more than 370 animal welfare, drug, weapons, and racketeering charges. The case is ongoing, but permanent custody of the animals has now been transferred to sanctuaries around the country that have stepped up to take on the zoo’s former residents.
On arrival at the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary, all three baboons were diagnosed with heart conditions; a common occurrence in primates kept in inadequate environments. If allowed to continue, these heart conditions would likely have contributed to a premature death but, thanks to swift treatment and a switch to a nutritious and healthy diet on arrival at Born Free, two of the baboons now show normal heart function and the third is well on the way to recovery.
The Journey of Healing Begins
We are delighted to have the opportunity to welcome Zeus, Calliope, Monet, Blue, and Bear to their forever home with Born Free. They have very quickly settled into their large enclosures and new social groups, which give them opportunities they have never had before in their old home. Most heartening is seeing them make friends. All primates are profoundly social animals, and these particular species thrive in large friendship groups.
Gentle Zeus has established himself as a calm leader of his group, while social butterfly, Bear, is making inroads to lasting bonds in her new home. The other newcomers are also building friendships. Calliope is enjoying spending time with female baboons, Presley and Violet, while Monet and Presley have become best friends. Blue, the vervet monkey, is a little more reserved and is taking his time to cautiously figure out his place, but sanctuary staff have high hopes that he will soon be in the thick of things.
The Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary: A Permanent Home for Monkeys
The five monkeys form part of the 210 strong population of primates who call the sanctuary home. Rescued from the pet trade, laboratories, and zoos, Born Free provides lifetime care to monkeys in need. You can learn more about the sanctuary here.
Keep Wildlife in the Wild,
Liz
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