Your support helps us provide nutritional food, veterinary care, and enriched housing for these remarkable primates.
Why squirrel monkeys?
Native to Central and South America, squirrel monkeys have been imported to the United States from South America since at least the early 1900’s, to be kept as pets, exhibited in zoos, and used in biomedical research.
Note: It is ILLEGAL to keep any species of monkey as a pet in California and most other states.
Why are squirrel monkey retirement facilities needed?
Squirrel monkeys are the most used Neotropical primates in biomedical research in the United States. Most monkeys used in research are euthanized when studies are completed so that researchers can get needed scientific information from their bodies. However, for some types of research, the needed scientific information can be obtained from living monkeys. Historically, these monkeys were also euthanized when studies ended, but there is an ever growing trend to retire these monkeys* to avoid unnecessary euthanasia. Monkey retirement facilities help the research community avoid unnecessary euthanasia by giving monkeys a place to live after research.