Grand Island, NY (WBEN) On April 14, DEC Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigators in Erie County responded to a report about an individual in possession of a spider monkey at a home on Grand Island. Investigators identified a subject who lived at the residence and confirmed the monkey was there. The individual acknowledged that she could no longer care for the animal and gave it up to Investigators who transported it to a licensed primate sanctuary.
DEC checked in with the licensed sanctuary and learned the spider monkey had a broken right wrist and a case of rickets, likely due to a poor diet and lack of veterinary care. The animal is still being cared for at the primate sanctuary.
Spider monkeys are illegal to possess as pets in New York State and DEC does not issue licenses for primates as pets.
DEC says woman surrendered the monkey
DEC says woman surrendered the monkey
