National Geographic: Living with Exotics: Primate Parents

[josielover234]

I think what Jungle Friends does is great, but I disagree with the statement that monkeys don't make good pets. I believe that some people aren't just cut out to take care of them. I think with the right owner that's ready to commit and care, a monkey makes a great pet. I started learning about monkeys when I got a little marmoset. I use to think that little monkeys are better than big monkeys because they cant hurt you. Now I have met people and their monkeys and think they make great pets.

[JungleFriends]

@josielover234 Unfortunately, you missed the main point! These baby monkeys are stolen from their mothers, as early as three days old, it doesn't matter if you grow a tail and swing through the trees with your monkey, monkeys need to be raised by mother monkeys and need to play with other young monkeys! Monkeys are social and want to meet other monkeys, have a family, yes, they really should be allowed to have a 'real' monkey life, not be made into someone's pet or toy!

[pizzapingvin]

I wish more people would see these videos. But as hard as you might try and explain to them that it is just not meant to be and monkeys are not good pets so so many people are just too thick skulled to get through, no matter what you do. Really makes me angry.

[lokumspoet961]

its not a mistake to get a monkey!! not at all! the best thing to do is to only get 1 monkey? every time a monkey atacks its when you have 2 monkeys. and its best to get a girl capuchin, they dont get as wild as the male capuchins get. i have friends there have had their girl capuchin monkey for 24 years and she is still as sweet as always:-) and they have trained her well:-) she can go out to get the mail an all kinds of things:-)

[pizzapingvin]

@lokumspoet961 Monkeys need companionship very badly. Few owners can give them attention 24/7. People have other things to do and not play with a monkey ALL DAY.Because that is what monkeys do as pets. They do not need to find food, so they either sleep (when you sleep) and the rest of the time they want to play or do something.They HATE being alone.So the worst thing is to have only one.And I would really like to see that monkey that you friends have.Also does she still has teeth,claws?

[SElement91]

@lokumspoet961 It absolutely is a mistake. You have to realize that the people who know that monkey pet ownership is wrong are educated people. People with solitary monkeys get attacked all the time. Apparently you have no idea about the social structure, cognitive abilities or psychological needs of nonhuman primates. You should read some research.

[JungleFriends]

@lokumspoet961 Yes it is a mistake, baby monkeys are stolen from their mothers and you are sadly mistaken when you are refering to attacks, they come at any age from 3 months old to 20 years old, you will never know and it doesn't matter whether you have one two or a hundred monkeys, like we do at Jungle Friends! The fact of the matter is that these poor babies were 'pulled' from their mother's arms, both mama and baby wanting to be together, families ripped apart! It is wrong!

[tumbleweedsback]

I appreciate this video sooo much. I was determined to get a monkey. Now I know it is a mistake. THANK YOU!!!

[SElement91]

@tumbleweedsback That is great of you to say! Maybe if you love primates and you know it is wrong to have them as pets, you should become a primatologist like me :) Haha

[JungleFriends]

@tumbleweedsback Thank you for not getting a monkey, you are welcome to come to Jungle Friends and volunteer!

[bubbagyro]

ALL pets have to be taken from the mothers. That is what "hand raised" means. This lady, very well-meaning, but not very bright, obviously did not love the pets enough to give them discipline. Also, it is not very intelligent to keep a monkey and not pull the canines and claws. They don't need them to crack nuts like in the wild, and they are very selfish animals that will turn on the owners for a piece of candy. A dog, or even a pig, always loves their owners, and appreciate and are grateful.

[JungleFriends]

It is illegal to sell a puppy or kitten before he or she is weaned from their natural mother, unfortunately, this does not hold true when it comes to monkeys. In the wild capuchin monkeys will stay on their mother's backs and nurse for about two years. The monkeys sold as 'pets' were literally stolen from their natural mother's arms at as little as three days old! You can imagine the horror both mother and baby must feel during this forced separation...very sad.

[JungleFriends]

@bubbagyro Hand raised is a term originally coined when you have an orphaned animal, it was not meant to steal babies from their mothers! It is illegal to sell puppies and kittens before they are weaned, why do you think it OK to steal monkeys at 3 days old?! Maybe we should pull out all of your teeth and cut off the tips of your fingers, you don't really need them do you?!