James May

Contributing Writer

The monkeys were used to study an array of behavioral topics fo r 30 years (Photo courtesy of Dr. Claudia Thompson).
The monkeys were used to study an array of behavioral topics for 30 years
(Photo courtesy of Dr. Claudia Thompson).

 

After 30 years of research service to the Psychology Department, Wooster’s three capuchin monkeys are heading to Florida for retirement.

Under the direction of Professor Claudia Thompson, students have worked with Alex, Jake and Gizmo to study a variety of behavioral topics, including cognitive ability, social complexities, self-control and memory. These studies reflect human behavior and interaction and have also given students the opportunity to interact and form bonds with the monkeys.

“The students often form attachments that they will never forget as they move beyond Wooster,” said Thompson in an interview with John Hopkins, associate vice president for College Relations & Marketing. “It has been a unique and privileged relationship.”

Despite the loss, there are currently no plans to replace the monkeys. Speaking with Karol Crosbie of the Wooster Alumni Magazine, Thompson commented, “The monkeys’ departure marks the natural closure of the research program.”

The three are moving to the Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary in Gainesville, Florida. The Sanctuary is a 12-acre property that currently gives homes to over 160 monkeys, including Alex’s sons, who have thrived in their new home over the past two years. Director Kari Bagnall is looking to expand this property, which would include a five-acre plot dedicated to housing about 15 monkeys, including the three former Wooster residents. The College is making an in-kind donation to contribute to the process of housing the capuchins.

Even though the monkeys are moving toward a happy and healthy future, students and faculty are reluctanct to see the capuchins depart.

“I am trained as a scientist and wary of how my subjective feelings about the monkeys might be interpreted,” said Thompson to Hopkins, “but I do know that, for 30 years, these special beings have approached us, interacted with us, communicated with us in their own way and tried to understand what in the world we are thinking, as we have done with them.”

Lauren MacDonald ’15, who has worked with the monkeys, expressed sadness at seeing them go.

“As a researcher and caretaker, I miss the monkeys,” MacDonald said. “They had a great life here — excellent care and non-invasive research — and I know they enjoyed helping Dr. Thompson & her I.S. students. But everyone deserves retirement and they’re having a great time at Jungle Friends.”

More information about Jungle Friends can be found at www.junglefriends.org.