Squirrel Monkey Haven (SMH)
Provides lifelong care to squirrel monkeys retired from research. We began giving care to research retirees in January 2021.
Retiring monkeys from research is a Collaborative Process
Individuals in the biomedical research community decide if and when monkeys are retired. Choosing a retirement facility requires thorough investigation before placements are made. We advise research institutions and sanctuaries during negotiations to facilitate successful retirement outcomes for all involved.
Outreach
We share knowledge about squirrel monkeys and advise people developing professional careers that focus on monkey behavior, care, health, welfare, and conservation.
FOR THOSE WONDERING...SQUIRREL MONKEY HAVEN IS NOT OPEN TO VISITORS LIKE A ZOO, and WE DO NOT… SELL OR BREED MONKEYS, CONDONE KEEPING MONKEYS AS PETS, ENGAGE IN ANY FORM OF COMMERCIAL TRADE WITH MONKEYS, TAKE MONKEYS TO VENUES, OR ALLOW PUBLIC CONTACT WITH MONKEYS.
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. 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 a 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.
*Lankau EW, Turner PV, Mullan RJ, Galland GG. 2014. Use of Nonhuman Primates in Research in North America. Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science 53:3 278-282.
What are squirrel monkeys like?
Although small at about 1 to 2 lbs, they are intelligent, curious about everything, have big personalities, and are super social with each other.
Is it safe to retire monkeys from research?
VETERINARIANS provide healthcare to monkeys used in research and ensure monkeys released for retirement are healthy.
Squirrel monkeys of all ages and varied research histories, including those with preexisting spontaneous health conditions e.g., heart disease, transport well and acclimate quickly to appropriate retirement settings.
Can squirrel monkeys be Pets?
NO! In California, and most other states, it is ILLEGAL to keep any monkey species as a pet. As important as the law is though, squirrel monkeys need to live with their own species to thrive, not humans.
