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Pepe the Spider Monkey spent the last eight years of his life living all alone in a Peruvian circus. As we know, monkeys are highly social and intelligent creatures, so being condemned to a solitary life of boredom was especially torturous for Pepe. Noticing the plight of this unhappy monkey, Animal Defenders International (ADI) launched a campaign to win Pepe his freedom. Seeing as circuses are banned from using wild animals in Peru, ADI was able to rally for Pepe’s release and he now resides in the organization’s care.

Valerie, a female Spider Monkey, was rescued by ADI from a similarly dismal background. This little monkey was a victim of the illegal pet trade and spent the majority of her life in a cage.


Although the beginning of Pepe and Valerie’s stories are tragic, it certainly looks like this pair will have a happy ending. ADI rescuers have successfully introduced the two Spider Monkeys and boy, are they smitten!

It is ADI’s goal to relocated Pepe and Valerie to a sanctuary in Peru’s Amazon forest and they are currently raising funds to do so. If you would like to make a donation to keep this precious pair together, click here.