Primarily Primates Newsletter
Summer 2011
A Match Made In Heaven
Jordan, also a victim of the exotic pet trade, has quite a reputation at the sanctuary for being especially charming, but it’s been quite a long struggle and process to integrate Jordan with other lemurs. Jordan was introduced to other lemurs only to wind up being bullied by some or aggressive with others. For a time we gave up trying to get Jordan to live with other lemurs. So Jordan lived just outside the office doors of the sanctuary—where he enjoyed being hand-fed grapes and soaking up the attention of our staff and volunteers.
But recently, young Nysembe was ousted by a group. Was this a sign?
Turns out this was a match made in heaven. When introduced to Nysembe, Jordan surprised us by remaining relatively calm. Mostly he just acted confused. But after a few days, Jordan and Nysembe were sitting together in the sunshine, eating together, and enjoying one another’s company. We’ll keep you posted as their relationship develops.
T h a n k y o u
We’re grateful to our members for their support and contributions. We couldn’t do it without you. We hope you’ll continue to support of our life-saving work.
There are many ways to be involved. You can sponsor an individual monkey or chimpanzee. By visiting our website, you can select the individual, and you’ll receive photos and information about the individual you select; we’ll send you information at regular intervals.
You can also make a tax-deductable contribution to the sanctuary and support our rescue efforts and operating costs— which are high. Providing life-long care, fresh produce and on-site veterinary care is expensive, but that’s the commitment we make to every resident at the sanctuary.
We are committed to helping all the animals we can. Your contributions make this possible, and we are endlessly grateful.
Sincerely,
Priscilla Feral
President
Stephen Rene Tello
Executive Director
Moves Moves Moves Moves
Walter and Baxter are especially handsome chimpanzees. In reminders of their tumultuous pasts, they do back-flips, clap their hands, and put on smiles (actually all signs of training and fear of their owners).
Walter was born at New York University in 1992—at a lab for experimental medicine that is now defunct; Baxter was born in 1999. Both became property of The Buckshire Corporation—a Pennsylvania-based company that leases animals primarily for scientific and cosmetic testing.
The Buckshire Corporation leased the pair to a German television show called Martin’s Working Wildlife—which trained them to perform tricks for television audiences. When they reached an age where they were difficult to control, they were returned to the United States; and eventually they found their way to Primarily Primates.
They have been living in a tall habitat originally designed for orangutans, but they are about to move to the area next to the pond—a grass bottomed enclosure that’s 60 by 40 by 18 feet. The new space provides plenty of space, sunshine and room to explore.
A group of six java macaques are on the move too. Aged four, bred in captivity overseas for the purpose of vivisection, Thelma, Louise, Woodstock, Momma’s Boy, Edwin, and George were rescued last summer from a lab in Austin, Texas where they had been purchased for a medical study; the lab ultimately decided not to use them. They were referred to us by the USDA , who monitors the laboratory.
They are moving from circular enclosures to a large, grassy habitat in our outback, where they will live near other macaques. The new enclosures will allow them space to explore and search for insects, and they’ll have access to climbing structures built by Boy Scouts.
Joys and Sorrows
Update from Priscilla Feral, President
If there’s a constant here at Primarily Primates, it’s change. Oftentimes, that means something wonderful: we are able to rescue an animal in need. Or we build new habitats, or renovate and re-imagine a habitat like the one where Arrell—the 24 year old blackmaned African lion who passed last fall—used to live. That hallowed ground, encompassing the large oak tree, is almost ready for a group of monkeys. Sheeanna, Robert, Ion, Ma Boy, Scooter, Bertha, Rosie and Connie—all spider monkeys at Primarily Primates—will have so much room to climb and bask in the warm San Antonio sunshine. They will move to the new habitat by the end of the summer.
Inevitably, at the same time, our residents grow old like Arrell and all of us, and one day they die. Jesse and James—brothers, both golden mountain lions—died three days apart in May 2011. They were 18 years old, and had lived their entire lives together. For James, the suspected cause of death is renal failure related to old age; while we don’t know Jesse’s exact cause of death, we suspect shock and sadness played a role. Their declining health was monitored closely until the very end. Priscilla Feral said, “I’ll miss their soft meows.”
James and Jesse came to Primarily Primates in 2003 when another refuge folded. Here, this beloved pair greeted their caretakers each day in their outdoor habitat that allowed for plenty of fresh air and exercise. The local Boy Scouts troop had built Jesse and James a three-tiered wooden resting shelf where they enjoyed lounging.
New Arrivals
Two new birds have come to us. A green-winged and blue and gold macaw arrived at the sanctuary in May. Both were raised as pets. As often happens when an owner’s health fails, Primarily Primates was asked to provide care for these two gorgeous birds. They are now living in our aviaries with two other pairs of blue and gold macaws, but we do not know if these two will also form a pair. We’re watching carefully.
A 17-year-old rhesus macaque named Soutine (after the expressionist painter) came to the sanctuary in May as well. The handsome name belies a troubling past, for Soutine was owned by a research institute in Albany, New York. Soutine is now by himself in a large habitat. Soutine will be introduced to another macaque after a period of observation and integration into the sanctuary. We’ll keep you posted. So far, Soutine is obviously enjoying the open space and warm sun.
A two-year-old lemur named Dash also arrived at the sanctuary in May. Dash was purchased as a pet from an exotic animal dealer who sells lemurs at flea markets.
Dash’s buyers worked from home, and allowed this energetic primate the run of the house. But after Dash began to jump on the shoulders of visitors, and bite when they’d reach to touch him, we got a call. In their own habitat, lemurs protect their real families, and Dash’s conduct is perfectly normal in that context – but not in a human household. It bears repeating: primates and other animals who are part of the exotic pet trade shouldn’t be. Friends don’t let friends shop for primates.
Dash is now living with a group of 12 ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) and one brown lemur (Eulemur fulvus). Nine are former pets.
MEMORIALS AND DEDICATIONS
Gifts in any amount are gratefully accepted to honor or remember someone special in your life or to observe a special event.
In Honor of Elizabeth Dunn Wansley
on Her 5th Birthday
William Dunn Wansley
In Memory of Ralphie the Found Cat,
Who Loved to Be an Uncle to the Kittens
He Saved
Eileen R Rogers
In Memory of Morgan, the Rhesus
Monkey
Douglas Cohn
In Honor of All of God’s Creatures
Brien Comerford
In Memory of Arthur Asbell—
A Glorious Human—and his 2
Siamese cats I now have
Carol Bullock Clemmons
In Loving Memory of my Kitty “PJ”
Margaret Gebhard
In Honor and Memory of
Margaret (Moccia) Lyons
John H Lyons
In Memory of the Murdered
Sled Dogs
Larry Miller
In Memory of My Scottie, Jill
Betty Joe McMillen
In Memory of Harris
Schlesinger’s Mother
Marian & Stuart Morgenstern
In Memory of Jean Storey
(died: 15 March 2011)
Carol Bullock Clemmons
In Honor of Jennifer Noyes and
Peter Janes Entering into Holy
Matrimony. Congratulations,
Maggie R.
Wish List
Our staffers request the following items to offer animals in their care.
Parrot toys
Kong toys
Large, new sneakers
Raisins and other dried fruit
Sunflower seeds
Hot air pop corn popper
Unpopped pop corn
Unshelled, unsalted nuts
Oatmeal
Peanut butter
Grape jelly