About
Founded in 1978
Primarily Primates was founded in 1978, making it the first primate sanctuary in North America and the first to rescue chimpanzees requiring lifetime care following medical research. PPI’s devoted staff supports all dimensions of animal life from diet to medical care to social-behavior management. Staff perform daily animal assessments, including behavior & physical checkups, for illness prevention and social-behavior management.
PPI has an innovative enrichment program to promote natural wild behaviors and mental stimulation. To ensure each day is unique, staff provides daily food enrichment treats using a variety of ingredients and enrichment methods that allow the animals to resourcefully seek food as they would in nature. Additionally, sensory enrichment activities like burning incense, playing music and painting are also offered to stimulate animal residents and prevent boredom.
PPI relies on the generosity of our animal-loving supporters.
2025 Accomplishments
The staff and volunteers of Primarily Primates, Inc. celebrated many accomplishments in 2025. In addition to providing holistic, lifelong care to over 300 primates, birds, and other mammals, PPI rescued several animals in need of a better future.
When we found out chimpanzees Herbie, CJ, Emma, and Jackson—residents of an Oregon sanctuary that was closing—needed a new home, we sprang to action. We worked with the Oregon sanctuary and quickly planned to ensure a smooth transition. That included arranging transport and hiring contractors to construct a new habitat that would not only allow us to provide the most innovative enclosure for the new chimps, but also to rescue more in the future—a win for everyone.
In June, PPI rescued a baby spider monkey found running loose through San Antonio, Texas. PPI received a call from City of San Antonio Animal Care Services informing us that a juvenile spider monkey in a diaper had been rescued from a neighborhood in the Northwest side of the city. The monkey had been loose, and the owners were not immediately known, but but since spider monkeys are prohibited in San Antonio, he was immediately confiscated. Now, Felix is receiving the proper diet and care at PPI.
Since then, PPI has joined a nationwide effort to combat wildlife trafficking—we were chosen to be part of the Wildlife Confiscations Network. As a result we rescued two more baby spider monkeys, Simon and Nova.
Spider monkeys in particular are currently being trafficked at a higher rate than has been previously experienced due to social media content creators and influencers posting pictures and videos featuring them to gain views and followers. Such content gives the perception that it’s socially acceptable and desirable to have lemurs, monkeys and chimpanzees as pets.
The Wildlife Confiscations Network is a first-of-its-kind pilot program that strives to reduce wildlife trafficking. It provides a coordinated system to ensure the care and sanctuary for animals confiscated by law enforcement.
Wildlife trafficking is a conservation crisis, with countless animals—including primates— being pushed toward extinction from the illegal trade in live animals as well as products made from their body parts.
Primarily Primates, Inc. remains committed to providing the best possible life for animals neglected, abused and abandoned by the pet trade, entertainment, and by research laboratories. We are proud to have the support of all our donors and followers as we continue this important, lifesaving work.
Primarily Primates
26099 Dull Knife Trail.
San Antonio, Texas 78255
Tel:(830)-755-4616
Fax:(830)755-4618
Contact Us
Tax ID# 74-2164756
Executive Staff:
Krystal Mathis– Executive Director
Board of Trustees and Officers:
Priscilla Feral – President & Chair
Robert Orabona – Secretary & Treasurer
Sally Malanga – Trustee
Barbara Sitomer – Trustee
Raymond Vagell – Trustee
Terrin Fuhrmann – Trustee
Tanya Suttles – Trustee
Tiffany Bulen – Trustee
Mission: Primarily Primates provides lifetime care and housing for native and non-native homeless, abused and abandoned animals, mostly primates, saving them from death or continued exploitation. We are not open to the general public and do not breed, sell, trade or use animals commercially.
Financial Information:
Federal Identification # (EIN) 74-2164756