[Skeezyks]

The Skeezyks doesn't post many threads of his own. And lately he's been having trouble with his internet connection. (SO frustrating! He had some work done on his computer today. Hopefully this will make a difference.)

But anyway... Yesterday evening, on our local public television station, aired a segment of the series: "Nature". The segment profiled a wildlife rescue outfit in Guatemala. One of the species they work a lot with is spider monkeys which are endangered. Many of the monkeys come in as babies stolen from their mothers for the illegal pet trade. They're raised with the intention of returning them to their natural habitat in the jungle.

One of the spider monkeys that was being treated, at the time the show was being filmed, was an animal that had been a pet. He had been named: "Bruce". Spider monkeys naturally spend almost all of their time high up in the trees. Bruce stayed mostly on the ground in the large enclosure he shared with other spider monkeys in treatment. He didn't socialize much... just kept to himself... although he seemed to appreciate the attention of his caretakers. At one point the caretakers began shooting off firecrackers to drive Bruce up into the trees where he belonged.

Eventually the whole troop of spider monkeys Bruce was a part of were transported deep into a protected area of the jungle to be released into the wild. They were transported in dog kennels. Once they reached their destination, the kennels were off-loaded from the trucks & the kennel doors were opened. All of the monkeys scampered out & ran for the trees... all except Bruce. He sat huddled in his kennel. They then took the top off of the kennel & after a minute or two, Bruce finally ambled tentatively toward the trees.

A short time later, staff from the rehabilitation center checked back to see how the monkeys were fairing in their new home. They found two of the monkeys dead. One of these was Bruce. They gave Bruce a chance to live a normal life as a free spider monkey... in fact they forced it on him! And it killed him. Their hubris killed him.

Why do so-called professionals & self-styled "life-coaches" always think they know best? Why do they always think everyone needs to "get out there" & live life "to the fullest"? Why can't they understand that this may not always work for everyone & that sometimes that kind of "encouragement" can be just a death sentence? I know Bruce was just a spider monkey. But what was done to him made me SO MAD! Rest in peace... Bruce...

[Angelique67]

What a terribly sad story. And heart wrenching.

That is sad. The Skeezyks has a good heart and sound mind. I hope you don't mind if I share a story in a similar vein that made me mad. I recently found out that two other people feed the feral/stray cats I feed. One left a note and I called her. She has no experience and little drive but her heart is in the right place. She called me day before yesterday and related a convo she had with the other person who she described as strong willed. This person wants to trap the cats and have them killed... because they are miserable. I wanted to ask for her number so I could call and ask her how the **** she knows the cats are miserable and who appointed her god. But I didn't.

[gayleggg]

That is so sad. I don't understand either. It was obvious that he wasn't cut out for the wild.

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[Fuzzybear]

[Nammu]

I'm speechless just wanted to stop in and offer hugs.

[*Laurie*]

Poor Bruce. I hope he is at peace now. It sounds like maybe the Skeezkys identifies with Bruce quite a bit.

[Skeezyks]

The episode is available for viewing on Nature's website:

Episodes | Nature | PBS

Thank you all for your kind comments...

Thanks Skeez, it's on my watch list now. Big cats are actually my thing but I feel for all wildlife that are losing their homes and being treated badly.

I watched it. Very interesting. The people seemed very dedicated and concerned and very passionate about their work. "Winning small battles is what keeps you going." I was pleased to see mostly locals working there. I remember how the effect that people like the McKennas and Jane Goodall had on American kids. Maybe the work of these people will inspire Central American kids to grow up with love and respect for nature and preserving wildlife and habitat.