The Fuzzy’s
These Bolivian owl monkeys (Aotus azari boliviensis), noted for their dense fur, are retired from malaria research. Father, Mother and juvenile are enjoying extracting seeds from a pomegranate fruit.
More Fuzzys
Warrior, Betsy, Peanut and Crunchy
Warrior (Aotus nancymaae) was found injured on the tracks of Miami’s Metro Rail. Brought to the Conservancy Warrior made a slow but steady recovery and was able to join other owl monkeys and even fathered several offspring. He is seen here enjoying a monkey style tamale!
Connie and Spruce
Connie and Spruce (Aotus nancymaae) enjoying night time enrichment. Spruce descends from a group of Conservancy monkeys the “went wild” after Hurricane Andrew ravished the owl monkey forest. Connie is a retired laboratory primate, having been captured from the wilds of Peru, and then used for years in malaria research at NIH and the CDC.
For more information about the Conservancy’s owl monkeys, please read Barbara Kings Blog at: http://www.barbarajking.com/blog.htm?post=723223
One of our last videos of Peanut showing that he was much loved by his mate and daughter, and groomed enthusiastically.
It is with great sadness that the DuMond Conservancy announces the death of one of our favourite primate friends, Peanut.
Peanut is survived by his loyal mate Betsey and several offspring; one of whom, Crunchy, still lives with Betsey. There was a small memorial service held for Peanut on Sunday, April 25th to celebrate his long, full life. The dedication of a small, colorful and edible garden will take place at a later date, in his memory.
Peanut was a red fronted owl monkey. Owl monkeys are unique because they are the world's only nocturnal monkeys and enjoy very cooperative family lives. Peanut was born in Peru many years ago but he left his homeland to join many other owl monkeys living in laboratories in the United States. He entered the U.S., as so many immigrants from Peru do, through Miami and spent years living in two laboratories: one in Alabama and the other in Atlanta. Twenty years ago he suffered a serious illness and he was retired shortly afterwards to the DuMond Conservancy in Miami.
When he arrived he was timid and frightened of all other owl monkeys until he met Betsey. Over the eighteen years they were together Peanut and Betsey were unusually closely bonded and had several offspring. Peanut was a devoted father, carrying and caring for them all. He was especially popular with our students and volunteers because he was extremely friendly and enjoyed sitting on our shoulders to enjoy a juice, grape or to groom someone's unruly curls.
These past few weeks Peanut, who had never been robust, began to look a little frail. Night time video footage however, revealed him to be active all night long, mainly following Betsey foraging for insects. Last week he fell suddenly ill and when our efforts to treat him were clearly not effective we returned Peanut to his home enclosure where Betsey nuzzled and held him until he slipped away.
Peanut was a wonderful asset to our community, who taught us compassion and what it means to be an owl monkey. We thank all those who loved and cared for him
Connie enjoying a midnight snack, scent marking, and some energetic acrobatics.
It is with great sadness that the DuMond Conservancy announces the death of one of our favourite primate friends, Peanut.
Peanut is survived by his loyal mate Betsey and several offspring; one of whom, Crunchy, still lives with Betsey. There was a small memorial service held for Peanut on Sunday, April 25th to celebrate his long, full life. The dedication of a small, colorful and edible garden will take place at a later date, in his memory.
Peanut was a red fronted owl monkey. Owl monkeys are unique because they are the world's only nocturnal monkeys and enjoy very cooperative family lives. Peanut was born in Peru many years ago but he left his homeland to join many other owl monkeys living in laboratories in the United States. He entered the U.S., as so many immigrants from Peru do, through Miami and spent years living in two laboratories: one in Alabama and the other in Atlanta. Twenty years ago he suffered a serious illness and he was retired shortly afterwards to the DuMond Conservancy in Miami.
When he arrived he was timid and frightened of all other owl monkeys until he met Betsey. Over the eighteen years they were together Peanut and Betsey were unusually closely bonded and had several offspring. Peanut was a devoted father, carrying and caring for them all. He was especially popular with our students and volunteers because he was extremely friendly and enjoyed sitting on our shoulders to enjoy a juice, grape or to groom someone's unruly curls.
These past few weeks Peanut, who had never been robust, began to look a little frail. Night time video footage however, revealed him to be active all night long, mainly following Betsey foraging for insects. Last week he fell suddenly ill and when our efforts to treat him were clearly not effective we returned Peanut to his home enclosure where Betsey nuzzled and held him until he slipped away.
Peanut was a wonderful asset to our community, who taught us compassion and what it means to be an owl monkey. We thank all those who loved and cared for him
We have the great privilege to care for a little over 50 owl monkeys at the DuMond Conservancy. Our owl monkeys live in a secluded naturally forested area with vegetation screening their enclosures. Each enclosure houeses pairs or small families of owl monkeys. At dusk the woods come to life with the sounds of excited chirps and contented purrs as the owl monkeys sample their meal for the evening and amazing resonant whoops if they hear an unfamiliar sound. We feed our owl monkeys a varied diet of specially prepared biscuits and mixed fruits, vegetables and leafy greens. The monkeys also spend a lot of time foraging for insects that enter their enclosures. In nature owl monkeys eat fruit, leaves, insects and flowers. We have planted near the owl monkey enclosures the trees that produce the pink flowers that they love so much in Argentina. On clear nights when the moon is full, the monkeys make loud hooting sounds and are much more active than on darker nights.
Owl monkeys have been used in several types of biomedical studies. Many of our older monkeys have been used in either ophthalmological research (because of their big eyes) or for studying the biology and treatment of malaria infections in humans.
We consider it our obligation to provide enriched lives for owl monkeys when they are released from research laboratories.