Rescued Mexican Spider Monkeys find new home at Saint Louis Zoo

ST. LOUIS, Mo., (KBSI) — Four endangered Mexican spider monkeys, rescued as infants from wildlife smugglers near the US southern border, have found a new home at the Saint Louis Zoo.

The monkeys, three females and one male named Chico, Oxomátli, Xóchitl and Chula, were likely poached from the wild to be sold as exotic pets. They were initially cared for at Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas, before arriving in St. Louis this spring.

Due to their traumatic past, the monkeys will likely require specialized care for years to come. They are settling in with the zoo’s older resident spider monkey, Patty, who has taken on a guiding role.

The monkeys can be spotted swinging and climbing through their new home in the Michael and Quirsis Riney Primate Canopy Trails.

Their story serves as a reminder of the suffering caused by the illegal primate pet trade, which must be stopped.

Learn more about their rescue and efforts by the Zoo and The Association of Zoos and Aquariums to curb the pet primate trade at: stlzoo.org/news/spidermonkeys.