Madam Houndina

Rosita came to us from a family in Caracas on the 14th July 2006. She was very young and small and is still very small. This belies the fact that she is a big eater. Rosita is so slim that she can exit the family enclosure at will. Consequently she spends a large part of her day either in the trees above her house or she goes on visits to Sussy, whose garden is nearby. You can always find Rosita wherever food is being served. She also frequently pays social calls to Maniña and Schatov. I have not yet worked out how she gets into their enclosure because the adjoining wire is a small gauge. We are thinking of calling her Madam Houdina.

I will be happier when these forays into the surrounding area cease because she could be a security risk. In addition she could be in contact with areas where wild monkeys have marked out, with the consequent danger of cross infection. That will only happen when she puts on a little more weight and can not longer get through the wire.

Who love monkey biscuits?

Well monkeys do of course. They are delicious and I often nibble one myself. We have been trying to obtain a product called 'Monkey Chow', as a supplement to the diet here but we have been unsuccessful. The product is simply not available in Venezuela. We have researched the constituents and have broadly replicated it in our ‘Monkey Biscuit’. Basically it is a biscuit formed from oats, bran, whole milk powder, and a little brewers yeast. Since the biscuits are lightly baked daily, we are able to add fresh fruit such as mangoes and papaya and cocconut. The children love them. You might think that the biscuits are a little large for howler monkeys and you would be right. Before serving we chop them up into mouth size cubes so they are easy for the children to hold in their hands.

Totto gets a visit

Totto got a family visit last Saturday and he was overjoyed to see his family. Many of the people, who are donors of the monkeys we have in residence, continue year after year to visit their children. We think this is a very responsible attitude. These families are wise enough to know that a house or apartment is not the place for a monkey but have a love for the child that brings them back time and again to help in their care. Monkeys love Monkeys
Our pictures show family visiting Totto and Totto just finishing off one of his favourite monkey biscuits.

The Ghosts of Cañaote

Some time ago I wrote to you about the 'Ghosts of Cañaote'. These were monkeys that should have arrived but never did. For example, I had many calls from a family who had a female monkey with only one leg. They had allowed the family dog to savage her and she lost a leg. Finally the family went silent and we have heard no more. There was a male adult in Valencia, who had been seized by the military. We had correspondence from a rescue group that was concerned about him but eventually we heard no more. He has become one of the ‘Ghosts of Cañaote’. Now we have had correspondence from a team of rescuers who saved Willi from poor conditions. We have heard no more. He too has become a Ghost.
At Cañaote we do not release Howler monkeys into the wild but we do give them large secure, clean homes and good appropriate food. Above all we give them respect and love and the company of other monkeys. We try to pair them so that where possible they can procreate. Monkeys need the company of other monkeys. Imprisoned in relatively small cages, they will pace up and down or swing backwards and forwards interminably. Their mental health will be impaired. We have seen it so often.
Our picture was sent to us by Willi's rescuers

Marco in Manrique

Marco was only 500 grams when he came to us. He spent his early times here as a surrogate son to Sussy. She cared for him until early adulthood. Gabriela, our friend in Manrique, told us that there was an opportunity for Marco to live free in the trees with a lovely lady Howler, Vicky. We decided on the experiment. We transferred Marco to Gabriela and Vicky. This has been a great success. Vicky and Marco fell in love on day one. They are now inseparable. He is putting on a lot of weight, I scarcely recognized him, he is now so big. I hear that Vicky is also putting on weight but for a different reason. We are looking forwards to being grandparents. This photograph of Marco came to me from Gabriela yesterday and I knew that you would want to see it.

Ramona, where is she?

We have an outreach program. We visit Howler monkeys in captivity in our immediate area. In the past I have often mentioned Ramona, the street monkey in Tinaco, Cojedes. Yesterday we went to see her. I love to drive up slowly so that I can catch a first glimpse of her before she sees me. It really warms my heart when she recognises my car and begins to strain on her chain. As we got closer I started to worry. There was no sign of her in her tree. I searched behind the shop facing the tree. Sometimes she gets moved there, especially if she has been aggressive to a passerby. But no, there was no sign of her. I questioned the owner and she told me that Ramona had bitten a woman very severely on the hand and that Ramona had been moved to a location in a nearby town. We are attempting to locate her and I will report our progress here. Needless to say, we are very worried about her and her conditions. When will people learn that all monkeys bite. Howlers are not good pets however domesticated you suppose they are.

He sits facing the window.

A poem about a captive howler suffering life in a city apartment

He sits facing the window.
He looks out on a sky that is very small.
He sees trees that he cannot climb.
And things he does not understand.
He sees a foreign land.
Filled with people not like him.

He sits facing the window.
He sees rain but does not comprehend.
He sees it but does not feel it wet against his face..
The wind blows but only scatters paper in the street.
Not a refreshing gust against which to brace.
He sees a foreign land.
Filled with people not like him

He sits facing the window.
He looks out on a sky that is very small.
He sees trees that he cannot climb
He sees rain but does not comprehend.
He sees it but does not feel it wet against his face.
He sees a foreign land.
Filled with people not like him

Once he had a family.
People just like him.
He remembers red tails in the sunshine.
His mothers loving face,
He remembers her falling.
And the white hand tearing him away.
Now there is nothing.
Only people not like him.

Happy birthday Schatov

There is an air of repressed excitement over Cañaote today. Lorries have been arriving with stacks of rented chairs and tables. Flutes of disposable glasses and paper plate are on every available place. Boxes of crisps and paper napkins block the house corridor. The fridges are full of pink jelly. This can only mean one thing. Someone is going to have a party. Our picture shows Schatov having a quick snack before the party beginsSchatov is two years old today.
Well what a party it was. Totto and Sophie were the first to arrive. Schatov greeted them at the door, Then Sussy, our grand lady walked gracefully in. She pressed something into Schatov's hand; I guess it was a present. Rosita and Nancy came next with a lot of chatter as you would expect and they were followed by the two lovely ladies, MonaLisa and Emma. Maniña helped serve the jelly and custard whilst Schatov handed around the cucumber sandwiches. Somehow the sandwiches and the jelly got a bit mixed up but no one seemed to mind. Sophie not being too proud handed out the balloons and the crackers and soon the whole place was popping. Totto raised his glass and shouted 'toast', Schatov said 'sorry I forgot the toast', everyone laughed and joined in a chorus of 'for he's a jolly good fellow'. Followed at once by 'Happy birthday dear Schatov'. Schatov is clearly a well loved personality in this community. Everyone enjoyed the party and by the time that the last balloon was popped and the last rousing song was sung, we had some very happy and tired monkeys. Totto said,’ well off to bed'. Then everyone shook Schatov's hand, wished him, 'happy birthday', and left for home.

I am nuts over you.

Our first picture shows Totto and Sophie with some peanuts. They do not have to be taught how to separate the shell from the nut. They know this instinctively. The text books tell us that although howlers have five digits in their hands, none of them are opposite so cannot act as a thumb. I beg to differ. Totto is holding a nut in his left hand, firmly between his THUMB and his forefingers. He occasionally uses his right hand to manipulate the nut. I would class him as left handed. It would be interesting to do a study here at Cañaote of ‘handedness’ and separately ‘play’ among children in semi captivity.

Dietary differences between howlers in the wild and those in captivity can predicate differences in behavior. If some of you scientists want to take on the study, tell me.

In the second photograph he uses his right hand to rotate the nut. Note the position of the thumb.

Sophie looks on with an expression of admiration on her face that says ‘I am nuts over you

All that can be seen is the outline of their bottoms

I wrote to you about the Wonderful Delonix and mentioned that it heralds the start of the rainy season. I mentioned that this also marks the appearance of many fruits in our Botanic Garden. We jokingly call this a ‘Hard Hat' time, because of the mangoes dropping from a great height. There is a thick canopy of various types of mango around the house. During the night the fall of these fruits onto our metal roof is quite startling. Even though this is a yearly event that we have experienced now for twelve years, we are still alarmed when the wind starts another round of crashing on the roof. The miracle is that in all this time we have never known anyone to be hit by these missiles.

With the advent of the rainy season, we begin a serious look at the enclosures. The houses must be kept dry and rain proof. All the doorways are changed for new material. All our enclosures have hammocks for the children to play. Now it is important to be sure that these are in good condition. With rain there is some restriction on the time they can spend in the open. Boredom is a great enemy of monkeys; particularly the young ones so we try to make it quality time for them by adding ropes, walkways and swings.
Some of the older enclosures were constructed of wood, in particular the big house. All these high beams have to be inspected and where necessary, replaced. Not an easy task especially when you have monkey assistance.
The reward is great. Recently Schatov and Maniña received a second large hammock. Now we were introduced to a new game of repeatedly jumping from one hammock to the other and back again until they finally the drop off to sleep. All that can be seen of them is the outline of their bottoms through the hammocks, not many inches from the floor.

The wonderful Delonix at Cañaote

The wonderful Delonix regia hearalds the begining of the rainy season. This is a favourite time for our children because it also tells us that many of the trees in our Botanic Garden will be loaded with fruit. The Delonix in our photograph, stands as a guardian at the enterace to Cañaote. Mango is now the principal fruit at breakfast and the children love them.

Life is such a precious and delicate thing.

Life is such a precious and delicate thing.
In one breath you have it and in another it is lost.
I have to tell you about a tragedy.
Negro, our brave little rickets patient passed quietly into the other world.
He died this morning at 7.30 A.M.
The day before yesterday he was in high spirits and we all wondered at his great progress.
He had responded so well to the special diet.
Yesterday, he was very quiet and slept for most of the day. I suspected that he was unwell.
During the night I visited him and found that he was not in his hammock.
He was sleeping on the floor of his enclosure. I covered him with his blanket.
Early this morning I went to him again and found him dazed and cold.
I rapidly moved him inside the house and held him close to give him warmth.
He died in my arms.
We do not know why. He had no sign of infection. He had no fever and the illness was very short. Was it something that had been lurking in him for some time? Was it a virus that appeared from nowhere? He did not suffer. He went quietly in his sleep.
Our sadness is very great. He was a wonderful little boy so appreciative of everything that was done for him. We had such high hopes for him. We had planned his future. But instead we now mourn him.

You are what you eat.

The stomach of the howler monkey is very complex. Over the next days, we will be discussing about this in some depth but on our companion blog, howlermonkeyhome. The link is over on the left. In the wild, some 40% of the howler monkeys diet is from leaves. The howler has a special stomach for digesting and detoxifying this material and this is called the hindgut. Basically what this does is to provide a location in the stomach which will slow down the process of digestion so that enzymes can go to work and get this material in a condition where it can enter the cardio vascular system. The problems of feeding monkeys in semicaptivity are that of providing a suitable diet, which takes the needs of this special stomach into account. We go a long way in this by providing fresh leaves from the forest every day but it is not practical to collect sufficient for a 100% of their daily requirement. Zoos and other facilities use 'Monkey Chow' a preparation by a commercial company that also manufactures dog food. As far as we have been able to discover, 'Monkey Chow' is not available in Venezuela.
We give our monkeys two meals a day, breakfast and dinner. The former at seven in the morning and the later at four in the afternoon.
Breakfast always contains fresh fruit. This is usually of one fruit but varied each day. For example if we give banana today, it will be lachosa (papaya) tomorrow. This variation is to take into account the foraging, instinct of the howler. In the wild, if they eat from one tree today it must be a different tree tomorrow. To be sure that the monkeys have a well rounded diet and in the absence of 'Monkey Chow' we make a milk shake containing a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. The monkeys have this every day as part of their breakfast. The photograph above shows the steel bowl which we first sterilize and all the ingredients that go into the milk shake.
Dinner is always a collection of fresh vegetables, lightly steamed to prevent any contaminant reaching the monkeys. In line with the foraging principal mentioned above, the flavor of the meal is also varied daily. One day for example a couple of tins of tuna with soy will be added another we will add chicken and boiled eggs. It has to be different every day, otherwise we risk the meal being rejected. This is a light treatment of the subject of feeding the children but it gives you a basic idea of what we do to make them happy and healthy with their diet. Incidentally this diet is power packed with energy which the monkeys in the wild do not have. Chewing leaves all day only provided a minimum level of energy and accounts for the howlers slow movements and the need to sleep for long periods of the day. Our monkeys are much more active than their wild relations.

Guamo machete and Mango

Strange to relate, Cañaote is very late with Mango fruiting this year. Whilst some of the trees have an abundance of fruit, ready to pick and eat, many are covered with young immature mangoes. Nearby villages have had ripe fruit for some time and are approaching the end of their season. Mango along with Guamo are natural freely occurring, foods for all our species of monkey. The forest here has a wealth of both. Where possible we introduce local naturally growing foods and fruits to our monkeys. The kind of diet that they would have if they were free to roam. One of the principal tasks of our helper is a dawn walk through the forest to collect breakfast for the monkeys and me too.
Our picture today is Totto, enjoying a sheath of Guamo.

N.B Guamo grows spontaneously in the central area of the north of Venezuela where it is known locally as ‘hairy Guamo’ because of the peculiar characteristic of the fruits which are covered by a rigid velvet ferrugineo (hair-guama). It has large fruits that look like hanging machetes, this is where their common name comes from.

Just Howler monkeys

There is a new post, perhaps of interest in 'Just Howler Monkeys'. The link is there on the left. Give it a click and you will be magically transported.

Negro steps out

Last Sunday, whilst the focus of attention was on Schatov a miracle occurred. Negro was introduced to Totto's new enclosure. Basically we wanted to see what his reaction would be when confronted with the bamboo walkways. As you can see from the photograph, he was quite confident and comfortable on the bamboo. When he arrived here some two months ago he showed no skill in anything needing strength in the wrists. In fact on that occasion he fell to the ground whilst attempting to negotiate his way across a small section of walkway. This is what most firmly indicated to us that he had rickets, which is a childhood disease characterized by softening of the bones (caused by a deficiency of vitamin D, and poor metabolism of calcium and phosphorus).
We received expert veterinary advice on his condition. Basically we were told to confine him to small secure area, where he could not fall. He was to have a calcium dietary supplement twice a day and as much sunshine as possible. We have vigorously carried out this routine and now we can
say that Negro is greatly improved. Yes, his back legs are still bowed and I doubt whether those bones will change but his wrists are greatly strengthened. He no longer walks on his forearms. This indicated that the pressure on his wrists is no longer giving him pain. The backbone was formerly quite sharp to the feel and now is somewhat rounded. Altogether, our opinion is that he is recovering noticeably. He now moves quite rapidly across the wire of his small hospital. This is just the beginning I am sure. He is nearly ready to be given a place with the others. We have been thinking about a companion for him. Possibly Sussy would like to adopt him or perhaps he would be better with the group around MonaLisa. We will be introducing him to the others gradually over the next few weeks to see where he will best fit in. Yes, truly a miracle has happened in these few short weeks.

We all had a wonderful day

Early on Sunday morning the enclosures were alive with excitement. Someone was at the gate, sounding their horn. The children began to roar so loudly that very soon it was above the level of the noise from the car. We were expecting Schatov’s family, Graciela and Erika, who were to motor down from Caracas on a special trip to see him and the other children. We were too slow getting to the gate because the family were already with Totto and Sophie. We greeted each other warmly. Their regular visits are always delightful and the children know that they always bring goodies. Rodrigo, Erika’s fiancé and Santiago, Graciela’s son and Graciela’s husband were also in the party.

Fairly quickly we moved to Schatov’s house and Graciela and Erika were standing in front of his enclosure, to see if he recognized them. I was watching from the other side of the enclosure and I noticed an instant change in Schatov’s attention. He recognized them both and ran towards them. As you can imagine, he was out of the enclosure and into Graciela’s arms in a moment. Just for comfort and safety we set up chairs and a table inside the new enclosure we have constructed for Totto. Additionally we allowed Negro to join the group. This is probably the first time since captivity that he has known such freedom.
Schatov was soon up on the bamboo walkways exploring with great curiosity the whole of the new site.
The family spent a lot of time with Schatov but the other children were not ignored. MonaLisa and Emma with Rosita and Nancy had their share of attention. Of course Maniña was a great show off and gave a big demonstration of his gymnastic abilities.

Totto and Sophie had their share of attention too. Most people are a little nervous of Totto. He always puts on such a stern face but he likes the grapes, apples and other tidbits that his friends have brought him. Sophie sat very close to him the whole time.

Sussy is always a star on these occasions. She greeted the family gracefully as you would expect from a Lady Dowager monkey but she had a firm eye on the presents that they had brought her. She loves grapes.
In the meantime Erika made some good footage of the children with her video camera. Rodrigo and Santiago went on an excursion into our botanic garden and later came back with yet more fruit.

Too soon it was time for them to leave on their journey back to Caracas. I know that Schatov enjoyed the visit. Because I spend so much time with him I can readily detect changes in his mood and I know that he was a very happy monkey on Sunday. The family left behind them generous gifts for the children and two really excellent bottles of genuine French wine for David and me. I admit it is a long time since I enjoyed a glass of wine of that quality. Thank you.

A Dynamic Society

In these notes I have several times said that our Howler monkey society is dynamic. When Schatov and Emma lived together we thought they were young lovers and their marriage was made in heaven. When Schatov became unwell they were separated for a while but once reunited their relationship had changed. Now Emma was very antagonistic to Schatov. He was the younger and recovering. He tended to run away when Emma was aggressive. Recently that has changed. He is now stronger. He has established himself as a male. It is Emma that runs away when there is a conflict. He is growing in size and mental stature. The same is true of Maniña. When we first set up this household of Schatov with Maniña, MonaLisa, Emma and Rosita and Nancy, there were fairly frequent altercations. Always with Emma on the attack. Now the situation is reversed. She has learned that there is no advantage in bad behavior. Their quarrels were either about food or position. The sudden flare ups very quickly subside and no one gets hurt. Basically, this is a happy group. They spend their day playing on the ropes, walkways and hamocks with a lot of attention to their tree house. The dynamics currently show that Nancy spends time with Schatov. He is also liked by MonaLisa. Maniña is also favored by Nancy and Rosita and MonaLisa. Emma and MonaLisa are like twins, where you see the one the other is almost always there.
In the other enclosures, Totto and Sophie are the perfect pair. They are always together. Totto is by nature a stern fellow, but he shows deference and love for Sophie.
At this moment Sussy is alone in a very big enclosure. She is so happy when we visit her. We do this every day, taking her fresh leaves and other goodies that she likes. But she is lonely. Formerly she has attacked other monkeys that have been placed in her vicinity. But remember that she has been a mother many times and has the maternal instinct. She adopted Marco and did a fine job of bringing him up. Remember he was a mere 500 grams when he first went to her and travelled everywhere on her back. Even though towards the end of his stay with her he was a little boisterous. I am planning for her to meet with Negro. I wonder if she would like to adopt this little fellow. More about him shortly.
Our photograph was sent to us by Gabriela and is of Marco at his new home in Manreque. I was so sad to loose him but now I see him free in the trees with a lady that he loves, I am happy at his fulfilment.

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Oh! boy what a party

Everybody was invited and everybody came. Maniña was the life and soul of the party. After he welcomed his guests he gave us a song that he had written specially for his birthday. MonaLisa organized several games, which were enjoyed and there was a lot of laughter. Clearly Maniña is a popular fellow. Everything was calm and good natured until the cake arrived. Maniña said 'hey there is only one candle on the cake'. Then all hell was let loose. Emma, not known for the elegance of her table manners took a first swipe at the cake. A sizable piece went down on the floor and Emma went after it. Sussy got a piece of cream stuck on top of her nose and made her look as if she was giving a rendition of 'Mammy I'd walk a million miles for one of your smiles'. Rosita bit off a piece of cake that was at least as big as she was but as soon as she held it in her hands, Nancy stole it and ran to the other side of the room with it. Schatov gave up trying to get everybody interested in his card tricks and joined the crowd around the cake. Everyone was a little nervous when Totto arrived with his wife Sophie. But they need not have worried he was only interested in getting to the front of the cake. Negro being a baby had his cake served at his high stool.
At this point Totto took charge 'Just a moment everybody, we have to sing 'happy birthday', and everybody joined in a rousing but slightly irregular version of the well known song. And so a wonderful party came to an end. Maniña, the perfect host, stood at the door and waved farewell to his guests. "Goodbye and come again next year'.