In late 2025 three baby baboons – Mari, Peach, and Ophelia – came to the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary. Mari, the eldest, was estimated to be around nine months’ old, and her two companions just six months’ old. The three were confiscated from an exotic pet dealer who bred them illegally for the primate pet trade. Each of these babies should still be with their mother, but they were ripped away from their mothers to be sold.
Upon their arrival to our sanctuary, they were still small enough that their daily nutritious diet of fruit and veggies needed to be supplemented by baby formula. It is incredibly lucky that they came in together and have each other as playmates, fulfilling crucial socialization needs. They are filled with energy. Peach is the most timid of the three, and the other two protect her fiercely; when there is any sign of trouble, Mari and Ophelia pile on top of Peach, covering her almost completely! Once they are a little bigger, we hope to integrate them into one of our existing baboon groups, where they can learn how to be monkeys. We have begun that process by allowing the babies limited physical contact through fencelines with their future housemates. This provides them with vital social opportunities while also keeping them safe from harm if things get too boisterous or aggressive. So far, this is going very well. In particular, Ophelia and Little Foot – another young baboon rescued in the last 12 months – have been grooming and hugging one another through the fence. This gives us great hope that the three will soon be accepted into their new troop.
We want to give these “sisters” the amazing futures they deserve. They will need lots of food, enrichment, and attention to grow up happy and healthy. Given how long baboons live, they could be with us for the next 20-30 years, with lifetime care costs upwards of $90,000. With the support of compassionate donors and the hard work of our dedicated staff, they will get the love and care they need to thrive in their life at the sanctuary.
For the Monkeys,
Liz
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The Born Free USA Team
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