Gavin

Gavin was a big surprise! He was born to Elizabeth, who was among a group of capuchins who had been rescued from a bankrupt roadside zoo. We were told all the males were vasectomized, so it was quite a surprise when three monkeys gave birth. All the boys were separated into a bachelor group until they had vasectomies and Elizabeth, her baby Gavin, and aunt Zaney were moved to another habitat where they could care for baby Gavin. Gavin is a perfect example of why monkeys should be wild. Because he was mother-reared, he doesn’t have any of the stereotypical behaviors, like rocking, digit sucking or self-grasping. He flies through his habitat, bouncing from one tree limb to another, swinging on ropes, and hanging from his hammocks. He is very energetic and enjoys destroying rope ladders, buckets, and toys that caregivers have lovingly arranged in his habitat. Members of the staff enjoy taking guesses on how long it will take Gavin to destroy his impeccably decorated habitat. Gavin is constantly in motion.