Squirrel Monkey Haven is dedicated to providing a lifelong accredited sanctuary home to squirrel monkeys that are retired from research.
IMPACT: Funding retirement for over 50 squirrel monkeys. Developing an accredited sanctuary just for squirrel monkeys.
Working with the research community and sanctuary professionals we advance the practice of research monkey retirement.
IMPACT: Promoting monkey retirement policies. Advising institutions retiring monkeys and the sanctuaries receiving them.
Through outreach, we share knowledge about squirrel monkeys and mentor people dedicated to professional careers that focus on monkey care, health, behavior, welfare, and conservation.
IMPACT: Professional conferences and speaking engagements. Mentoring students and professionals in careers that involve monkeys.
What is monkey retirement about?
Some monkeys in research are used in nonterminal (survival) studies and researchers do not need to euthanize them to obtain scientific data. Monkeys from these nonterminal studies are eligible for retirement.
Many people in the research community are working hard to get retirement-eligible monkeys to accredited sanctuaries when studies are completed.
GREAT NEWS: There is an emerging trend to retire monkeys after research!!!
Lankau EW, Turner PV, Mullan RJ, Galland GG. 2014. Use of Nonhuman Primates in Research in North America. Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science 53:3 278-282.
Why squirrel monkeys?
Although native to Central and South America, squirrel monkeys have a long history in our society. They have been imported and bred in the United States at least since the early 1900's to be kept as pets, exhibited in zoos, and used in research. Squirrel monkeys born in captivity in the USA cannot go back to the wild...they are here to stay.
Note: It is ILLEGAL to keep monkeys as pets in California and most other states. SMH does not condone keeping monkeys as pets.
Why is a squirrel monkey haven needed?
Squirrel monkeys are widely used in research and there is demand for more accredited sanctuaries to house monkeys leaving research.
What are squirrel monkeys like?
Although small at 1 to 2 lbs, they have big personalities, are curious about everything, have lots of smarts, and are super social.
Is it safe to release monkeys from research?
VETERINARIANS provide healthcare to monkeys used in research and only release healthy monkeys to sanctuaries for retirement.
Squirrel Monkey Haven
An enriching lifelong home for squirrel monkeys retired from research.
