Woolly monkey populations are decreasing in the wild and in captivity. Woolly monkeys have a reputation for being difficult to keep and breed, infant mortality is high and hand-rearing is rarely attempted or successful. Between 2006 and 2008, three Η Woolly monkeys Lagothrix lagotricha born at Monkey World -Ape Rescue Centre, UK, failed to suckle and these infants were removed for hand-rearing. Because no published information was available to inform our procedures, detailed records of the hand-rearing and reintroduction process were kept, and an account is provided here. Although parent-rearing is always the best option, this paper details the hand-rearing and reintroduction process used successfully at Monkey World in order to encourage other keepers who are managing suboptimal birth circumstances in captive Woolly monkey populations.

In May 2010, a newborn ♂ Woolly monkey Lagothrix lagotricha at Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre, UK, was found being carried by the dominant ♂ (its father). Attempts were made to encourage the ♂ to return the infant to the mother but these were unsuccessful. Both parents were anaesthetized, and the infant was returned to the ♀ who went on to rear it successfully.