A sick spider monkey confiscated from a motorist suspected of driving under the influence was taken by the California Highway Patrol to the Oakland Zoo for treatment.
The malnourished female monkey was found the night of Dec. 30 when a CHP officer stopped a Rolls-Royce Ghost northwest of Fresno on northbound state Highway 99, north of Avenue 17, for excessive speed, the highway patrol posted on social media.
The monkey, estimated to be five to six months old, is receiving “critical care” for an upper respiratory infection, the zoo said Friday on social media.
“The team is hopeful for her recovery and is choosing a name that honors her species,” the zoo said.
The Rolls Royce driver was arrested for being under the influence and possession of cannabis for sale, the CHP said. A 2024 model of the luxury vehicle starts around $350,000, according to the automotive information website Edmunds.com.
Primates are illegal to own as pets in California, according to the CHP.
Primate infants are poached for the exotic pet trade, with most not surviving their first year due to poor care, the Oakland Zoo said.
“Mothers are often killed to obtain the infants, who frequently die during transport,” the zoo said. “The high demand for exotic pets drives this illegal trade, causing suffering for millions of animals.”
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