Caring for more than 600 primates means tending to 600 different personalities and groups with their own unique needs.[teaserbreak]
I’ve written previously about the various difficulties encountered when attempting to introduce and socialize primates who suffer from a lack of social skills due to abnormal rearing and housing. The process is frustrating, slow, and tedious for both the monkeys involved and their human caregivers. I’ve also shared how rewarding it is for the primates and how critically important bonding with others of their kind is to their overall well-being; alone and caged is no place for any wild animal, much less highly social species of primates.
You have heard the stories of Chongo, Theo, Brooke, Teddy, Oliver, and many other individuals for whom we care and give extra special attention due to their difficult upbringing and illnesses. These stories are important because they reveal just how much damage many of these animals have suffered at the hands of humans—but, even more importantly, how much more engaging and fulfilling their lives can become when we dedicate our efforts to providing a better reality for them.
On the other hand, with some monkeys, providing that better reality isn’t quite so involved. Next week, I’ll tell you about the more “wild” monkeys who are in our care.
For the primates,
Tim