Dear Friends of the Sanctuary,
This past week we were able to confirm our importance towards the care of wildlife. Andy Pruter of Everyday Adventures called to tell us a neighbor found a juvenile spider monkey that just wasn’t responding well.
Our project veterinarian was due to visit the following day and Andy took on the challenge to find someone that would be able to get it to Puerto Jimenez the following morning. As we knew he would, Andy came through when he found hotel guests that had planned to visit the Sanctuary! Early the following morning, Andy kindly crated her up as comfortably as possible for the journey from Matapalo to the Sanctuary.
Dr. Tello and I opened the crates to find an emaciated spider monkey. She was so weak she was not able to fend off our physical examination. Dr. Tello said she had been kept in a small area where movement of her arms and tail would rub against the cage. She was given three injections, an antibiotic, parasites, and a huge boost of vitamins.
Staff and I worked every waking hour to keep her comfortable and kept trying different foods for her to eat. The first day she was here she would only nibble on a banana. I kept it to myself that I was very concerned she might not make it.
Dr. Tello gave us a second injection of antibiotics. She was still so weak that she could not resist us. I had a hard time trying to find enough muscle!
Through our tireless efforts we were able to hit upon a high protein food that she liked—a banana omelet! Next came grapes! Now that she has started to eat, her appetite has increased dramatically and she is eating a variety of foods.
