What do you get when you add together 2 + 1 + 2 + 1? At Jungle Friends this summer, it adds up to something completely new: six ex-pet white-faced capuchins tentatively socialized and maybe the beginning of something even bigger.

In the wild, the white-faced capuchins live in social groups of 15 or more. In captivity, however, it can be a challenge to get more than two of these highly intelligent, social beings to share a habitat in peace. By nature, the white-faces are the most aggressive of the capuchins. On top of that, sanctuary monkeys generally arrive with their own set of quirks and emotional baggage acquired from a history of misunderstanding, abuse, neglect, or illness.

Until this year, most of the white-faced capuchins at Jungle Friends lived in pairs. Now, thanks to several generous grants and donations targeted for more and larger habitats, Jungle Friends is able to embark on an exciting and ambitious socialization project: to combine the current pairs of white-faces and link their habitats to create both a larger, more natural social group and a much larger shared habitat area.

The regrouping started in January with a little mixing and matching of established pairs. Corky and Kelli have lived together since 1998, and formed a strong brother/sister bond. But Corky was also showing a strong interest in the dynamic duo of Lily and Tabitha. So a visit was arranged, and all three had a great time getting to know one another.

In the meantime, there was another flare up in Dodger’s uncertain relationship with his bunkmate, who is affectionately known as “Jimmy the Jerk”… the name says it all. Dodger was a perfect candidate to keep Kelli company while Corky was away, so soon another new pair was bonding.

Slowly but surely the monkeys were mixed and remixed while the keepers observed the burgeoning relationships and strategized each move – considering personality, past experience, layout and features of the available habitats. Most certainly Princess Kelli could not be separated from her deluxe air-conditioned accommodations!

Soon Lily was introduced to Dodger, while Corky spent most of his time with Tabitha. Then Corky and Dodger both returned to Kelli, letting her explore one of the large, new habitats accompanied by both her boys. Finally, the barriers between the two habitats were removed and a new group of FIVE white-faced capuchins was born.

At first all was well; for a few weeks, everyone played and foraged together. But it was no real surprise when the new group started to have growing pains, especially since the socializations had gone so smoothly and quickly.

Lily – egged on by her evil twin, Tabitha – started to pick on the other members of her new family, first Kelli, then Corky, and finally even Dodger. Temporarily dividing and then recombining the group would restore the peace…until the irrepressible “sisters” again went looking for a new target. Still, there was more harmony that discord in the expanded family.

And then a new kid blew into town (along with the new keeper…me). This was Korey: 7.5 years old, a princess in her own right, and never before within touching distance of another monkey. The original (pre-group-expansion) plan was to socialize Korey with Kelli and Corky; this still seemed a good place to start.

When Korey met Kelli, all went well – although Kelli couldn’t understand why Korey wouldn’t groom her, when she worked so hard to extend the invitation. Korey was clueless. Every time Kelli inched towards Korey to make friends, Korey got up and moved away. Kelli, however, was persistent, and within a couple days the friendship was launched.

Now it was time for Corky to come over – to meet the new girl, and to get away from the old ones: Tabi and Lily were up to their old tricks, picking on Corky again. Corky got along just fine with Korey – and so did Dodger, a few days later, when he, too, needed a break from the tough girls.

Korey really took to the guys, especially Dodger, who’s a good buddy to hang out and forage with. And when the temperature climbs, she’s happy to join Kelli lounging in the A/C. (What are they doing in there? We like to think they’re nibbling on bon-bons and gossiping about the boys.)

It seemed to me that if we had enough room for all the monks to play – and get out each other’s way – we could still expand the new group to include Lily and Tabi. When the big day came, we made sure to open up all the runways to assure that, in case of a fight, an escape route was available for Korey… or Lily… or Tabitha. But the introduction went well, and the group continues to co-exist. We still have an occasional scuffle, but overall Korey is holding her own.

By creating a larger group, we are able to combine the habitat enclosures that would otherwise be sectioned off to separately house one or two monkeys. All the individuals in the group then benefit from having a larger, more varied territory to roam. And, they can now begin to experience the interactions complex monkey society, and to choose companions according to their own inclinations.

There is still more to do. My next goal is to introduce four more monkeys to the group: first Bonnie and her son Bailey, and later Clyde and Cuddly, to achieve an unprecedented group of 10.

I am convinced that the key to sustaining larger groups of white-faced capuchins – like those that exist in the wild – is to provide sufficient habitat space. So, again we are seeking funding to expand our habitats and continue the White-Faced Group project. This will be the start of our proposed Hanuman Village area: another step toward restoring what humans have stolen from these ex-pets: the experience of being a monkey. Another step toward the hope of freedom.