In February 2023, a male howler monkey arrived at our center after spending seven years as a pet in Lima. Having lived in a completely different environment from his natural habitat, he became highly humanized and has struggled to adapt to a more natural way of life.

He was originally named Jorge, but he seemed to have a strong dislike for his name—possibly due to past mistreatment—so he was given a new name as part of his fresh start at RAREC.

One of the biggest challenges in his rehabilitation has been his diet. After years of eating human food, he is extremely picky and resistant to transitioning to a species-appropriate diet. Our team is working diligently to introduce him to natural foods, ensuring he gets the nutrition he needs for a healthier future.

Interestingly, unlike other howler monkeys, he doesn’t know how to howl. Since he was never surrounded by his own kind, he likely never had the chance to learn this essential social behavior.

His rehabilitation will be a long and gradual process, but we remain committed to his care. We will continue to monitor his progress closely, with the goal of helping him adapt to a more natural lifestyle over time.