Hand‐rearing and reintroduction of Woolly monkey Lagothrix lagotricha at Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre, UK

Abstract

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.

Health and Welfare of Howler Monkeys in Captivity

“…12.1 ). This process may take a few days, depending on how infants tolerate each stage (Barnes and Cronin 2010 ). Primilac (Bioserve Laboratories) infant primate formula is readily available.…”

The Woolly Monkey

“…In captivity, infant woolly monkeys begin to eat solid foods from 45 to 71 days of age (Barnes and Cronin 2012), but there are no published data on nursing rates or weaning in either wild or captive populations.…”

Reintroduction of a neonatal Woolly monkey Lagothrix lagotricha at Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre, UK, following separation from mother by dominant male at birth

“…Taking into account the keeper's knowledge of the behaviour and history of individual Woolly monkeys, the most likely reasons are as follows: the ♀ had a difficult birth and was too exhausted to pick up and care for the infant; the infant fell to the floor during the birth and was picked up by the ♂; the ♀ rejected the infant for an undetermined reason and it was picked up by the ♂; the ♂ approached the ♀ after birth to eat the placenta, the baby still attached to the umbilical cord ended up holding on to the ♂. While the true reason will never be determined, 4 years earlier, a baby born to a different ♀ previously living in the group was also found being carried by the same ♂. On that occasion, the outcome was different and after the infant was reintroduced to the mother under anaesthetic, she rejected it again upon waking and it was consequently hand‐reared (‘Julio’ in Barnes & Cronin, ). Based upon observations at the time, the infant (Julio in Fig.…”