Comments On: Help! I need advice about an abused capuchin

Recently I was given a 7 year old male capuchin. I have no experience with monkeys, but I know this one was abused. I was told that the reason for giving up the animal was because they did not have enough time for him. I later found out that he was kept in a small enclosure that was never cleaned, fed alcohol, and other hazardous substances, from which he almost died. He was also deprived of food on numerous occations. He is now nerotic. He will sit in his cage a rock back and forth for hours. He wants to be loved but he is just scared. He will not come out of his cage.Yet if I sit on the outside he will sit for hours holding my hand "talking" to me.I have looked for books so I could try to understand his behaviour, but have found none. He was very passive, never aggressive until the last few weeks (I have had him for 4 months). He has started what I consider very odd behaviour. I am his caretaker, I give him food, water and attention. All of the sudden he will reach out and scratch, slap, or pinch me for no reason. He will them shake the cage with a vengence, but has never tried to bite me. If I leave the room after this display he will "cry" and whine. I don't know what to do or why he is doing this. And how can I help him to get over his fears? Will he ever get "better"? Any advice would be a great help!!
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There are several places and people you can find on the internet that have experince in dealing with these situations. Try any of the animal refuges. They should be able to help.Also I have more info if you would like.
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Dear Sarah,
Hope your Capuchin is doing better..I'm sure it will take much more time for you to gain his trust. We have a primate shelter for abused and neglected primates. We started 22 years ago when the city was looking for some place to put it's neglect cases.I can relate to seeing some of the reactions you mentioned from your Capuchin.
It will take so much more time for the little guy to feel safe and secure, maybe years..let me know if you have any questions, or I can help in any way,
Sincerely, lori Davis
Ochoco Primate Shelter
Prineville, Oregon
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Sarah, continue to give him as much attention and care as you can. It will take time and patience..and he may never be "normal" again.You do not know, I'm sure, the full extent of the abuse this guy has suffered. Contact me privately please..Lu Hall with the Simain Society of America
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SARAH E-MAIL I CAN'T GET INTUCH WITH YOU [I DON'T THINK YOUR E-MAIL IS WORKING.....goldenr@fhsov.org
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SARAH E-MAIL I CAN'T GET INTUCH WITH YOU [I DON'T THINK YOUR E-MAIL IS WORKING.....goldenr@fhsov.org
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Sarah,

We have a 3y Jap. Snow Macaque monkey that was neglected and not fed
properly. We have had her approx. 6m. We also have another Snow that
is healthy and we got her young enough even though she was neglected
that she is ok now.

When we got "Liddy" 6m ago she would cover up with a blanket and rock
and cry, she also used to demonstrate self mutilation behavior. As
other people stated, time, health, love and attention is the biggest
start. We first got "Liddy" physically healthy, by feeding her a proper diet and vitamins which helped a lot. Also a teddy bear for
comfort and the other big factor we found since she had been confined
to a very small cage was exercise. She has an outdoor cage so she can
run,jump,swing, etc..

I don't have all the answers but would be than happy to try and help!!!

Debbie and girls!
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Sarah,

Love & PATIENCE. Believe me ...it will take Time for him/her to trust you. BE CONSISTENT in your Behavior and Schedules, so they they know what to expect from you all the time. Never show anger or fear, or any of the other negative emotions. You must build a relationship of Trust before you can even think about discipline, and it may take a while, but Don't give Up. the struggle will be worth it!

Barbara
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THIS IS ROBERT MY E-MAIL ADDRESS IS WRONG IT SHOULD BE GoldenR@fhsov.org
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THIS IS ROBERT MY E-MAIL ADDRESS IS WRONG IT SHOULD BE GoldenR@fhsov.org
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You should contact JUNGLE FRIENDS primate sanctuary....
They have a web site: http://www.junglefriends.org/
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