~ by Ella Hook

At the Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary, a community of people work hard to ensure the health, happiness, and safety of animals of all species like turtles, squirrels, and monkeys. There is a foundational respect for the creatures that we share our planet with. Usually, interactions between humans and animals are limited to feeding, cleaning, and medical attention. 

Human contact is understood but not encouraged.

In fact, most of the animals that live in the sanctuary are there because of humans. The illegal domestication of wild fauna is one of the main reasons why they end up at Alturas. The animals become too dependent on humans and will ultimately not be able to make it in the wild. When domesticated, they no longer have a chance to be successfully integrated back into their native habitat. 

In this sanctuary, the showstoppers are the white-faced capuchin monkeys.

Their enclosure is the one that kids flock to and tourists whip their cameras out for. It’s understandable because Coco, Honey, Pablo, and Greta are four little, sweet, funny monkeys; so human-like that anybody can find a connection with them. 

Greta suffers from panic attacks due to an abusive home that was nothing more than a tiny, wire cage in a yard full of dogs. Pablo, on the other hand, was confiscated from drug-smugglers near the border with Panama. These monkeys have created their own troop at Alturas, forming relationships with one another and the people who work and volunteer there. 

Although it’s difficult seeing wild animals in captivity, sometimes there are no other options, especially if they have been domesticated by humans. The sanctuary can offer a safe place where they can live out their lives. Visitors are always intrigued by these beautiful creatures, but ultimately, if you want to help, the best thing you can do is to observe them from a distance and let them flourish in the jungle around us.

INFO: Ella Hook – Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary