ABILENE, Texas — Four new young spider monkeys rescued from illegal pet trade are now residents of the Abilene Zoo.
Two females, approximately 11 months old, and two males, around 6 months old, were confiscated by authorities in separate incidents and are now under the expert care of the zoo team.
The two males were found at the Brownsville border crossing hidden in crates inside a vehicle. The two babies, among others, were temporarily housed at the Gladys Porter Zoo until permanent homes could be found.
The two females were discovered in a private home in the Houston area. Since they had been acquired illegally, they had to be surrendered to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Illegal pet trade is a critical issue, the zoo said, and South Texas zoos are feeling the impact of the illegal trade of spider monkeys. The monkeys are often caught in the wild by shooting the adults from the trees and leaving the orphaned babies to be trafficked.
These young monkeys, sometimes only weeks old, are subjected to traumatic conditions. They are transported to the border to then be hidden in compartments within vehicles, which often result in severe injuries or death. Once across the border, they are sold to intermediaries who distribute them to private owners. The farther they travel, the higher their value becomes.
Zoos are increasingly called upon to care for these rescued animals. Right now, the Gladys Porter Zoo is caring for nearly 20 infant Mexican spider monkeys. When facilities reach full capacity, they reach out to other zoos, such as the Abilene Zoo, for help.
“The four adult spider monkeys currently residing at the zoo were also confiscated from illegal pet trade more than 20 years ago,” Abilene Zoo animal curator, Robert Trejo, said. “Now, the zoo is tasked with integrating these four young ones into the established troop. This process will be done carefully to ensure a successful and harmonious introduction.”
Spider monkeys live in tight-knit family groups, known as troops, with complex social structures. The introduction of the new babies to the existing troop will be a gradual process, starting with visual introductions to ensure acceptance and minimize stress.
The Abilene Zoo wants potential owners to know spider monkeys need specialized care and can carry diseases transmissible to humans, making them unsuitable as pets.
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