These Poor Rescued Spider Monkeys Find Safe Haven at Abilene Zoo

As an animal lover, it breaks my heart when I hear of stories like this, and at the same time I am thrilled to share that the Abilene Zoo has taken in  four young spider monkeys rescued from the illegal pet trade. These four fur babies include two females, around 11 months old, and two males, that are only 6 months old. Each one of them were rescued by authorities in separate incidents and are now in great care by the Abilene Zoo.

The males were found at the Brownsville border crossing, hidden in crates inside a vehicle, while the females were found in a private residence in Houston. Due to their illegal acquisition, they were surrendered to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The illegal pet trade industry has a devastating impact on wildlife, especially spider monkeys.  so many times these animals are caught by the Smugglers shooting  mama and daddy spider monkeys, then leaving the babies orphaned and then trafficked into the U.S.. The young monkeys endure traumatic conditions, stuffed in vehicle compartments like trunks and tool boxes, leading to severe injuries and death. Once across the border, they are sold to intermediaries and private owners, increasing their value with each transaction.

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This is why the Abilene Zoo is such a valuable tool to have here in Abilene. Zoos like our Abilene Zoo plays a crucial role in caring for these rescued fur babies . The Gladys Porter Zoo, currently caring for nearly 20 infant Mexican spider monkeys, highlights the growing need for sanctuary spaces. The Abilene Zoo is honored to provide a safe space for these new arrivals.

Robert Trejo, the zoo’s animal curator, noted that the four adult spider monkeys at the zoo were also rescued from the illegal pet trade over 20 years ago. Integrating these young spider monkeys into the established troop will be a very careful, and gradual process to ensure  that these four are accepted and to minimize any stress.

Spider monkeys require specialized care and can carry diseases transmissible to humans, making them unsuitable as pets. By sharing these stories, the Abilene Zoo aims to discourage the illegal pet trade and promote conservation efforts.

Jesse Pottebaum, the Abilene's Zoo’s Director, emphasized the urgent need to address the illegal pet trade, noting that all spider monkey species are endangered. The Abilene Zoo at 2070 Zoo Lane invites everyone to come out and learn about the illegal pet trade and support efforts to protect these creatures.