AmbergrisCaye.com Home

Authorities on Ambergris Caye, acting on information received, launched an operation at a residence in the southwestern tip of the San Pedrito area of San Pedro Town where a spider monkey was rescued. The adult female spider monkey was being held captive and is believed to be in very poor condition and extremely underweight for its size. Scientifically known as Ateles Geoffroyi, spider monkeys are classified as a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and in Belize they are protected.

The operation was carried out by members of the San Pedro Police Department, the Tourism Police Unit and American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES) on behalf of the Belize Forestry Department. According to Cherie Chenot-Rose, research biologist at ACES, the monkey was tied to a rope that was fastened to a metal chain hooked to a small little shed in a yard. "The police noticed the monkey chained outside, two iguanas and some other miscellaneous wildlife, not yet identified in the person's home� it is illegal to have any wildlife in Belize without the proper permits from the Belize Forestry Department," said Chenot-Rose. More importantly is that the Forestry Department does not issue permits to keep any species of monkey as a pet. The rescued spider monkey was transported to the Wildtracks facility in Sarteneja Village in the Corozal District where it will be treated and rehabilitated.

Speaking to The San Pedro Sun, Paul Walker, one of the Director of Wildtracks gave an overview of the spider monkey's condition. "The condition of the adult female spider monkey was very poor. Very, very emaciated from long term inadequate care, inadequate diet and lack of veterinary support and it is probably the most emaciated monkey that has come to our care. The monkey was skeletally thin and grossly underweight - it has very poor hair condition which indicates heavy parasite load," outlined Walker. He said what may have contributed to the bad health condition of the monkey is the lack of adequate care. "It is illegal to keep monkeys as a pet in Belize. They are special animals that require specialist care, and homeowners are not in the position to offer the kind of care that a monkey needs to be healthy. This monkey is a shining example of what happens to a healthy monkey when taken out of the wild and kept as a pet. They eventually get sick and often die," he emphasized.

It is estimated that the monkey is between four to five years old but because of the very poor health condition of the monkey, it may take a few months to estimate its age. "It is fair to say that the monkey is 40% below the weight she should be for a monkey of her size. She is basically a skeleton covered in skin at this moment," described Walker. A healthy female spider monkey could weight about 16 pounds but the one rescued on Ambergris Caye is far below 10 pounds.

Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in in the San Pedro Sun

She has beautiful blue eyes....It will be great to see her healthy....
I'm so glad to know that she is now in safe hands. What an awful way to live. People who keep Belizean wildlife as pets are stealing from the future and the children of Belize as well as breaking the law. This poor social animal has been tied by the neck and apparently malnourished for some time. It's so sad to think that many people may have known about this poor animal's plight but never did a thing to help her - until now. Kudos to the San Pedro police for taking the action that saved this monkey and great work on the part of ACES too.
Heartbreaking story, but so happy she was finally rescued. Typical situation from what I've seen. The lack of understanding of the horrible consequences to the wild animals is key. It is what it is, and I know many people in SP work hard and long hours attempting to educate people about this issue. It's a hard call, intervening in people's personal business, especially with regard to animals of any character is a delicate and challenging thing, from my personal experience in SP. Thanks to you all for your kind efforts for the animals. ACES, SAGA, CollyK and many others are to be thanked for their outreach and rescues.
People who torture animals are not worthy of being called human.




It hurts me every time I see that animal chained up at the beach front jewelry table in front of Estelles. Is that legal?
ScubaLdy,

To possess Belizean wildlife, you must have a valid permit from the Forest Department - so unless they have been issued with a valid permit, it would not be legal. You can call the Wildlife Hotline on 0800 822 8888 and please also call the Belize Forest Department on 501-822-1524 or 501-822-2079 to report any wildlife related matter.

Thank you from ACES

Dear San Pedro Sun,

ACES/ American Crocodile Education Sanctuary ACES would like to thank The Belize Audubon Society (BAS) for coming to the rescue of an 9 1/2 ft problematic Morelet's Crocodile in Crooked Tree last Friday. BAS immediately called ACES after capturing the croc before locals could kill it after the croc ate a local pet.

ACES Volunteer, Evan Sims, responded and the croc is being monitored in a holding pen at ACES in Ladyville. After the tragic torturing of a croc last week in San Pedro, it is a great reward that locals helped to save a croc in another part of the country.

Additionally, ACES applauds The Belize Forest Department, The Belize Tourism Police, Captain Mike of the 'Thunderbolt', Saga Humane Society and WildTracks for their critical roles in the expedited rescue of an illegally captive Yucatan Spider Monkey the morning of May 14th. Only by working together can we protect the species for future generations.

With that said, we encourage residents of the island to support our efforts in implementing a small Wildlife Refuge in San Mateo. I hope that people understand, by rescuing problematic crocodiles we keep people safe. By rescuing other wildlife, we are helping to keep the island's environment healthy. In the end, it all really is about helping people, isn't it? Please feel free to email me at [email protected] to see how you can help.

Thank you,
Cherie

San Pedro Sun

I agree wholeheartedly
Originally Posted by Diane Campbell
People who torture animals are not worthy of being called human.




© Ambergris Caye Belize Message Board