I worked with these boys for seven years and, unlike them, I have moved on to greener pastures. They’re still there, in pair-housed, metal, laboratory cages.

They’ve been there almost all their lives. Each of them pulled from their laboratory social group at about 1 year of age and put in cages. Jobe has been in a cage for what must be about 13 years, Xavier for 12 or so years, and Chris and Xenon for over 10 years. They have never seen the light of day or ever touched a surface other than metal and PVC. They have never smelled fresh air or had something to look at other than the laboratory wall they’ve been facing for over a decade. There are no bird noises for them to listen to, no bugs to catch, no tree branches to run on, no foraging material to while away their time.

I made a promise to myself and to them that I would work, in some form or fashion, on behalf of primate welfare for the rest of my life and that I would do whatever I could to have them, specifically, retired from research. When I met Kari and saw Jungle Friends, I knew where Jobe, Xavier, Chris, and Xenon should spend the rest of their lives for retirement. After three years of working with Kari and her staff, I am more convinced then ever that Jungle Friends is the only place I would trust to give the best care to these guys.

I’m not here for philanthropic reasons, really. I’m here for a very practical reason. There are simply too many unwanted monkeys in this country and too few quality sanctuaries to provide them a permanent home. In a span of 13 years, I have worked in animal research laboratories, zoos, wildlife rehabilitation centers, and primate sanctuaries both in the U.S. and abroad. I have yet to find anyone who equals Kari’s level of dedication to the stewardship of her charges. Jungle Friends is a desperately needed resource in the animal welfare community and a model sanctuary. My purpose at JF is to help ensure its longevity and increase its capacity to accept more of the many monkeys who need a safe haven. Closest to my heart is the hope that the time will come when my Alma Mater retires Jobe, Xavier, Chris, and Xenon and I can watch my boys play in the large, enriched habitats at Jungle Friends for the rest of their lives where they’ll be cared for by a knowledgeable and compassionate staff…maybe someday.

Christine M. Orman, Ph.D.