Chacho the spider monkey, after spending nearly two decades behind the Hotel Sand’s in Barra de Navidad, Mexico, MIGHT BE RELEASED, and handed over to animal rescuers who can offer him a better life!
Our family has visited Chacho numerous times, and each time we felt sad/bad/angry for this beautiful monkey. But like so many others we did nothing more than buy him some fruit, give him a scratch, and some much needed company.
Links to:
January 2012 visit when Lowe was just a baby
April 2015 visit when passing through Barra in the Travco
May 2017 visit during our Airstream Mexico days
A few weeks ago we received a comment on our blog that changed all that.
Ali and Lisa decided to team up and see what, if anything, they could do for Chacho. Lisa started consulting with experts in the field in the US, Mexico, and Costa Rica to ensure a proper sanctuary with rehabilitation and safe transportation there. They looked up animal and monkey rescues, sent stories and photos. Received a lot of helpful information and tips on what to do next—as well as many unanswered emails. Then came DAC, Denuncia Animal Cihuatlan, who replied back almost immediately and set about meeting with Chacho’s owners.
Now after just a few days working together, DAC is meeting with the Barcena family in Guadalajara on Sunday, August 4th, to decide how and when they will let Chacho go. The Barcena family has already accepted to give Chacho a better opportunity of life.
CHACHO MIGHT BE FREED, and although old (possibly 20, with a lifespan of 40 years in captivity/25 in wild), have a wonderful few years swinging from trees instead of a small rusty chain link pen alone.
Others are sharing their stories and photos from their visits with Chacho on our Bumfuzzle FB Page. Follow along and we hope to share a happy ending for Chacho.
10 Comments on “Chacho”
Thanks to Ali and Lisa for stepping up to free this poor monkey. I don’t like zoos for just this reason. However, I am cognizant that there are some good zoos that work to help endangered species become more prevalent in their habitats and that also work to eradicate diseases common to some diminishing species. But enclosures like the one Chacho is in are awful, they offer nothing for the monkey to do except sit and stare and eventually go stir crazy. No wonder he sometimes bites, I’d bite too if I’d been locked up like that for 20 years. I hope the attempt to free him is successful. Thanks again for walking the walk!
I just want to point out that Chacho is not being kept in a zoo, or any place even claiming to be a zoo. Proper zoos are scientific institutions and animals in them are cared for by professionals with years of education and experience.
There’s hope for yall, yet.
You go guys! Awesome, work worth doing.
If everyone would go just that extra mile like Ali and Lisa, we would be rid of all situations like this. Such a worthwhile endeavor. Love you guys even more now!
This is such great news!!! Wow how much Lowe and Ouest have grown…..They have a great life……Enjoying your blog for years…..Marilyn
Take the little environmental victories where you can find ’em.
Ali and Lisa, and all others involved, bless you for your compassionate hearts and determination to end (hopefully) this poor animal’s suffering.
TJ
During our stay we made friends with Chacho and his brother Ulises. They’ve lived in Mazatlan all their lives, and still live in their family home in the historic center. During our hike to the lighthouse, Chacho learned of Sheena’s Tres Leches problem.
Another Chacho in historic Mazatlan? What are the odds. I hope their home was better than the Chacho’s in Barra de Navidad (500 miles farther south). And who doesn’t have a problem with Tres Leches. 🙂