At La Isla de los Monos, we are committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for rescued capuchin monkeys. From creating engaging spaces for longer-term residents in the semi-release stage to welcoming new arrivals, every step of their rehabilitation journey is focused on helping these intelligent primates thrive.
Enrichment is vital for the well-being of capuchins like Fiona and Mounay, who live in our semi-release cage. Capuchins are highly intelligent and active primates that require mental stimulation and opportunities to express natural behaviours.
Thanks to the help of one of our brilliant volunteers Gabor, we have recently updated their space – this includes:
These improvements ensure that Fiona and Mounay continue to thrive while awaiting their chance for a full release into the wild.
Pierre was likely stolen from the rainforest as a baby, ripped away from his mother, and destined for the illegal pet trade. Tragically, many trafficked monkeys face even worse fates, such as being sold for biomedical research, body parts, food, or traditional medicine.
Recently, we welcomed Pierre, a white-fronted capuchin monkey, who was rescued with the help of SERFOR and UPA. Pierre’s story is a sobering reminder of the devastating impact of animal trafficking.
After being confiscated by authorities, Pierre spent a week at the Huánuco zoo before arriving at La Isla de los Monos. Here, he was introduced to two capuchins close to his age: Renzo, a brown capuchin, and Sabrina, a white capuchin.
At first, Pierre was too scared to leave the safety of his cage. With time, love, and patience, he began to explore. Slowly, he ventured outside, climbed his first tree, and started to forage with the guidance of Renzo, Sabrina, and his human carers. Watching Pierre regain confidence and embrace his new environment has been an inspiring journey.
Renzo arrived at the centre last February as a small baby with broken bones. After months of care and rehabilitation, he is now thriving. Sabrina, who arrived in April, was also a tiny baby at the time. She has grown into a strong and healthy young capuchin.
Together, these three monkeys have become a tight-knit group. Renzo and Sabrina are showing Pierre the ropes, helping him adjust to his new life on the island. Their bond is a testament to the resilience of these animals and the importance of companionship in their recovery.
Capuchin monkeys are among the most frequently trafficked primates in the Amazon. Stolen from their rainforest homes, they endure severe trauma, malnutrition, and injuries. Traffickers often kill mother monkeys to capture their babies, leaving the infants orphaned and vulnerable.
The illegal wildlife trade is a multibillion-dollar industry, and primates like capuchins are targeted for the pet trade, food markets, or traditional medicine. Despite laws prohibiting the ownership of monkeys as pets in Peru, enforcement remains a challenge, and demand for these intelligent and social animals persists.
Monkeys like Pierre, Renzo, and Sabrina remind us why it is so important to fight against trafficking and raise awareness about the complex needs of these animals. Capuchins require large territories, social interactions, and a specific diet—none of which can be provided in a human home.
Thanks to the dedication of our team and support from organisations like SERFOR and UPA, capuchins at La Isla de los Monos have a chance to heal and rediscover their natural instincts. Watching them climb trees, forage, and form bonds with other monkeys is a powerful reminder of the resilience of wildlife.
You can join the fight against animal trafficking by supporting organisations like us here at La Isla de los Monos. Whether through donations or spreading awareness, every contribution helps provide rescued monkeys like Pierre, Renzo, and Sabrina with a second chance at life.
