Say hello to Hector! He is one of two spider monkeys we rescued yesterday. Both are "border babies' who were confiscated by U.S. Fish and Wildlife. Hector was found roaming around El Paso. You can make a donation to support his lifelong care here: https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx...

When it comes to spider monkeys, it takes a knowledgeable, dedicated team of care staff like we have at Primarily Primates to provide them with the specialized care they need. As "border babies," spider monkeys are trafficked from the wild into the United States. They undergo weeks to months of improper conditions, including exposure to viruses, bacteria, and parasites. At PPI, we test for a variety of different conditions before integrating new monkeys into our existing population. In addition, they are deprived of social conditioning, leaving them at a loss regarding how to behave in primate societies. The extreme trauma they experience can influence physiological and psychological health for years into the future. Overcoming the difficulties these young ones are exposed to early in life is a lifelong effort, which is why we are so happy to be able to provide permanent residence to these extraordinary monkeys.

While we have been rescuing primates from the illegal pet trade, biomedical research, and entertainment for decades, last year we were chosen to be part of the Wildlife Confiscation Network. It's a first-of-its-kind pilot program that strives to reduce wildlife trafficking and increases support for law enforcement by providing a coordinated system to ensure the care and welfare of confiscated live wildlife.