MEET AUNTIE
Auntie is one of the most familiar faces in our colony.
At 26 years old, she is an elder here. We know her routines, her preferences, her friendships, and the subtleties of her body language and facial expressions that tell us how she is feeling. The people who care for her greet her every day. She knows them, and they know her.
A Vibrant Social Matriarch
Auntie is an alpha female with an important place in her
social group.She lives alongside her close companion,
Suzi, and a troop of younger monkeys
who keep life interesting.
She’s become something of a matriarch.
We often see her keeping an eye on the younger monkeys,
stepping in to correct behavior, enforce boundaries,
and guiding them through the social lessons they need to learn.
We make sure she has what she needs to keep being Auntie.
That means a stable social group, space to move and interact,
and an environment that supports her physical and emotional well-being.
Top-Notch Geriatric Care
As Auntie has aged, her care has changed with her.
And like anyone caring for an older animal, we pay close attention to the details.
She gets regular health screenings, including bloodwork and advanced imaging so we can catch
any problems early. We monitor her mobility to track any changes related to arthritis and
adjust her medications if needed.
We also adapted her living space to make life easier. Custom ramps and ladders help her move
comfortably and give her independence.
Working with Auntie
Auntie has contributed to research designed around cooperation, choice, and Positive Reinforcement
Training. Much of her work involves tasks on a screen that look a bit like playing video games.
By interacting with them, she helps researchers understand memory and cognitive aging.
Our vets and Behavioral Management Services teams review our research protocols to ensure that they meet
not just basic rules and regulations, but that they adhere to our higher standards of animal care.
We’re always looking for ways to give monkeys more choice, more control, and a better quality of life.
Relationships That Matter
The bond between Auntie and her caregivers has been built over years.
Our techs and vets recognize her moods and habits.
They know when she’s curious, wants some space, and when she’s happy to see them.
Thriving
Auntie has expert veterinary care, a safe,
enriching environment and monkey friends around her.
She is a beloved monkey.
Her health and happiness are our top priority.
That’s how we feel about all of our monkeys.