Tethers or Cages: Which is better for unreleasable monkeys?
In the spring of 2008, primatologist Jennifer Weghorst visited the sanctuary and spent many days observing the animals of the sanctuary. In the past few years the sanctuary has been pressured at times to cage the unreleasable spider monkeys, Felica and Guapo. The primatologist agreed with us, that the cotton lead system provides the best life possible for these unreleasable monkeys. Currently, they can range from the ground to about 15 meters in a number of Fig trees. They can naturally locomote, forage and interact with other free-ranging animals at the sanctuary. Caging them would definitely reduce their range and freedom, and prevent that important interaction with the free ranging animals at the sanctuary. Jennifer prepared a video chronicling her visit and her opinions on the care and management of these unreleasable monkeys.
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