On Tuesday evening, we said a sad goodbye to the wonderful Mrs. Wilkin following a swift deterioration of her health in recent weeks. While heart-breaking farewells to the animals we care for when they leave us are as much a part of sanctuary work as the joyous rescues, some losses hit particularly hard, and Mrs. Wilkin’s was one of those.
When we saw the medical paperwork for elderly Mrs. Wilkin (she was believed to be around 27 years old when she arrived), we were nervous that she might not even survive the long journey from Iowa to Texas, where our primate sanctuary is based. She was suffering from chronic arthritis, she had curvature of her spine and other bone deformities, an old break in her jaw that never properly healed, and tumors in various places on her body. It was inevitable that she was suffering from chronic pain because of a combination of these things. We took every precaution to ensure that she arrived safely and, boy, did we know about it when she did!
We expected to be met by a frail little monkey who was likely lower ranking than her younger, healthier friend, Anna. Mrs. Wilkin very quickly disabused us of that notion!
It was clear that, of the pair, it was Anna who followed Mrs. Wilkin’s lead – looking to her elderly friend to see how she should respond to situations. Mrs. Wilkin thrived as the pair’s leader, often stomping over to caregivers who approached their enclosure to demand a delicious snack (peanuts were a firm favorite), while Anna hung back. And, woe betide anyone who came by without a treat – they would be quickly shown Mrs. Wilkin’s angry “threat face” as she slapped the ground in a clear show of macaque displeasure. And, it was not just caregivers who could be the targets of Mrs. Wilkin’s wrath – she was not averse to bickering with her next-door neighbors if they, too, got on the wrong side of her!
Back in November 2020, Mrs. Wilkin began to slow down. The majority of her days were still good and filled with her own adventures, but we knew that it was only a matter of time before this heroic, feisty little monkey who had suffering for so many years at her awful former home would be leaving us. At that time, we warned staff that she may only be with us for a few more weeks.
Of course, in true Mrs. Wilkin fashion, and against all odds, she lived almost another six months.
But, on Tuesday of this week, we knew it was time and we convened our caregiving team to have the difficult discussion that we always dread. Mrs. Wilkin was showing signs that she had new aches and pains, which her medication was no longer properly managing. She was still mentally present but her body, which had been through so much over the years, was giving out on her. Led by our expert vet team, we collectively agreed that it was a kindness to let her go.
In the early evening, our vet team and I went to say our final goodbyes and helped Mrs. Wilkin pass.
Rest well, Mrs. Wilkin. You inspired us all and we will miss you.
For the Monkeys,
Liz
