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Jungle Voices
Friends and volunteers of Jungle Friends speak out
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A Haven for Primates by Michael Budkie
The fight against animal experimentation is a long and difficult struggle, and it is often waged in a kind of vacuum. Despite the fact that we fight for animals on a daily basis, it is very rare that we actually have any direct contact with many of the kinds of animals for whom we work. So, when we have the opportunity to actually work for animals in a very hands-on kind of way, it is always a very rewarding experience.
In August I traveled (with my
family) to the Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary in Gainesville, Fl. This
wonderful place is home for 82 primates of several different species
including squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys, tamarins, marmosets, and
spider monkeys.
Samantha
At Jungle Friends the day starts very early, around 6 am, with breakfast for the primates. Their diets vary from species to species, but they always include plenty of things that are truly enjoyed by the animals. Squirrel monkeys consider meal worms a delicacy, other species like varying kinds of fruit and vegetables. Like everything else at Jungle Friends, feeding is done with the best interests of the monkeys in mind.
We ate our breakfast after the primates at around 9 am during a meeting to go over the day’s projects. After this meal break our activities varied from day to day.
Food bins always need washing, and habitat cleaning is a high priority.
Other responsibilities included construction of new habitats, grass
mowing, and a myriad of other tasks which are all a part of the daily
routine necessary for the proper care and feeding of primates.
As someone who spends the bulk of my time reading about the abuses which
cause so much suffering to squirrel monkeys, rhesus monkeys, and many
other species of animals, it was a truly affirming experience to see our
closest relatives living in environments that are designed to fit their
needs. Enclosures with plants, trees, and many other things that
contribute to the naturalistic feeling of the habitats for these lucky
primates continue the overall way in which things are done at Jungle
Friends -- the monkeys come first. The staff at Jungle Friends helps to
make any time spent at the sanctuary very rewarding, while still keeping
the focus on the primates. My family found everyone to be dedicated and
professional.
While the people at Jungle Friends are great, the inhabitants of the sanctuary cannot help but touch your heart. Whether it is Jimmy Sr. (capuchin), a former organ grinder and
pet shop monkey (over 50 years old), or Goldie (spider monkey), every
single monkey has the capacity to capture your heart.
Though I spent time with many of the animals, I kept finding myself
drifting back to see Jimmy Sr. We talked every day.
Goldie
He spoke his language, and I spoke mine (also
trying to imitate his). While neither of us could understand the
conversation, I will never forget his eyes. I go to the Jungle Friends
website (www.junglefriends.org) often to see him again.
The only real problem with going to Jungle Friends is that we had to
leave. After five days of spending time with dozens of the sanctuary’s
inhabitants, the time to return home arrived. Saying goodbye to all of
our new friends (human and non-human) seemed to take forever but could
not really take long enough. We intend to return as soon as our busy
schedule allows.
Jimmy Sr
Wading through the never-ending river of paper
that describes the lives and deaths of hundreds or thousands of primates
in our nation’s laboratories is a task that is overwhelming both in
terms of volume and intensity. This tidal wave of death and suffering
often comes close to drowning me spiritually. But now, whenever I start
to feel swamped, I just remember Jimmy Sr and all the other inhabitants
of Jungle Friends, and I am reminded of who I am fighting for.
Spring, 2007
Michael Budkie is the founder of SAEN -
Stop Animal Exploitation Now!
Please help Jungle Friends today with your tax deductible contribution through Paypal.
Thank you for your continued support.
Lots of monkey love,
Kari and the monks
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