Udi is a 14-month-old baby spider monkey. He was stolen from his natural mother's arms when he was just a few weeks old and sent to New York City to be sold in the exotic pet trade.  

A month later, Udi was found in a man's basement alone, cold and without food. Well-meaning, but uninformed, people rescued Udi from his prison when he was just a couple of months old. Udi weighed less than two pounds and was completely helpless. A year later, Udi could not walk. Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary was contacted.

Udi arrived at Jungle Friends on the evening of May 16, 2004. His rescuers stayed at Jungle Friends with Udi for a couple of weeks to settle him in and help with the transition into his new environment. Udi went from a New York City apartment to sunny Florida. He took very well to his new life at Jungle Friends. The very next day Udi took his first steps, was swinging from the trees in his new habitat and basking in the sun.

On May 24th Udi was examined at the University of Florida Veterinary School to learn why this little guy was so tiny and could not walk. Little Udi's radiographs show that he has severe metabolic bone disease; all of his bones are soft. Udi's legs are bowed and he has some disease in the joints and a small problem with his wrists. Unfortunately, the disease has also affected Udi's teeth and gums; he has a terrible overbite and may need corrective dental surgery in the future. Udi weighs only 4 pounds, and he should weigh two to three times that. Udi's stunted growth and bone disease is from malnutrition, a deficiency of calcium and vitamin D, due to poor diet and lack of sunlight. We hope that with the right diet, exercise and plenty of sunshine, Udi will be able to fully recover, especially since he is so young. Udi is quite the trooper, and such a sweetie; he has stolen everyone's heart at Jungle Friends.

NOW WE NEED YOUR HELP! We need to raise $5,000 to build Udi’s new habitat at Jungle Friends. Please consider making a contribution…

If you would like to help Udi, here's some of the ways to contribute:

• Sponsor-A-Monkey by pledging a monthly contribution from $10 to $100. If you'd like to sponsor Udi, you can set up your sponsorship at the Online Donations page... then email us to let us know you've selected Udi. Contact cj@junglefriends.org if you have any questions about sponsorship or need assistance.
• Order Monkey Art – original canvases, or prints framed with a picture of the monkey artist – makes a great gift or conversation piece! Udi is already painting!
• Send beautiful Year of the Monkey cards to your friends & family! Each card includes an ORIGINAL 3x5 for a one-time donation of $25 or 5x7 monkey painting for a $50 one-time donation.
• You can also make a one-time donation for Udi in any amount on the Online Donations page, or send a check to Jungle Friends at: 13915 N. State Road 121, Gainesville, FL 32653.

Thank you, always, for you interest and concern for these wonderful creatures!