Baby spider monkey found in Rolls-Royce sent to Oakland Zoo
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The rescued spider monkey receiving care at Oakland Zoo. Photo courtesy of Oakland Zoo
An endangered spider monkey is under Oakland Zoo's care after she was discovered in a Rolls-Royce during a traffic stop, authorities say.
Driving the news: The spider monkey, rescued on New Year's Eve, is estimated to be about five to six months old and arrived at the zoo's hospital malnourished and suffering from an upper respiratory infection, according to the zoo.
- California Highway Patrol says officers found her after pulling over a speeding Rolls-Royce for a suspected DUI in Madera County. The driver was arrested and now faces several charges, including possession of an exotic animal, per NBC Bay Area.
State of play: Oakland Zoo's hospital has placed her in a humidified environment to treat the infection and are running tests to identify the cause of her abnormal skin conditions.
- She'll undergo a complete examination on Saturday with a focus on her bone density and won't be visible to guests who tour the hospital.
- "The veterinary staff consider her a critical case but are hopeful for her recovery" and plan to choose a name for her that honors her species, the zoo said in a statement.
The big picture: In California, it's illegal to privately own primates like the spider monkey, which is typically found in tropical rainforests.
- They're especially vulnerable in their first two years of life, when they're highly dependent on their mothers in the wild, and have a high mortality rate even before entering the wildlife pet trade, which involves poaching exotic animals.
What's next: Once recovered, the zoo will work with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Wildlife Confiscation Network to locate an appropriate home in an accredited zoo or sanctuary that will allow her to grow up in a troop of other spider monkeys.