ELLA (Capuchin, Cebus capucinus)

June 1987 - June 30, 2018

Ella was once kept as a "pet" in a small cage in someone's laundry room until PAWS rescued her in 1992 when she was five years old. She enjoyed catching bugs and climbing up to watch sanctuary activities from a high perch in her grassy enclosure set among the trees in our Galt sanctuary. Her neighbors were Capuchins Groucho, Chico, and Zeppo.

Ella enjoyed foraging for and discovering bits of fruit and other treats that caregivers hid in her habitat daily. She had a playful personality and an endearing habit of turning her head upside down to look at us through her legs. After Ella was diagnosed with leukemia last year she received special medications, including oral chemotherapy drugs hidden in treats that she eagerly took. These medications, and the extra TLC and attention that she received from her dedicated and doting caregivers, gave her almost a year of life after her diagnosis. Ella's cancer was very aggressive, however, and she lost her battle with leukemia and lymphoma on June 30, 2018, at the age of 31 years. Ella's playful antics and unique personality will be missed by all who knew her.

ZEPPO (Capuchin, Cebus capucinus)

In December 1995, sheriff’s deputies in Johnson County, Iowa, seized 50 monkeys from the home of a woman in Shueyville after veterinarians and health officials ruled that the animals were malnourished and living in unsanitary conditions. Two of the monkeys died shortly after being removed from the home where, according to reports PAWS received at the time, the animals were living with little or no food or water, and in a gross accumulation of their own feces.

Thanks to the efforts of The Association of Sanctuaries, an organization that would later become the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), PAWS, and others, new homes were found for all of the monkeys. Three Capuchins — Zeppo, Groucho and Chico — came to live at our Galt Sanctuary.

When they first arrived at PAWS in August 1996, it was clear that the three tiny capuchins had not had an easy life. When we moved them into their spacious new enclosure — complete with trees to climb, branches to perch on, and ropes to swing from — they were intrepid and amazed. They approved the fresh, green grass with a mixture of wonder and glee and it was only a few hours before they were acting like “real” monkeys again. No more cowering or fear for these little ones. Infact, they were so full of fun and joy that PAWS co-founder, the late Pat Derby, named them the Marx Brothers. All these years later, they continue to bring us joy with their antics and games.

GROUCHO (Capuchin, Cebus capucinus)

In December 1995, sheriff’s deputies in Johnson County, Iowa, seized 50 monkeys from the home of a woman in Shueyville after veterinarians and health officials ruled that the animals were malnourished and living in unsanitary conditions. Two of the monkeys died shortly after being removed from the home where, according to reports PAWS received at the time, the animals were living with little or no food or water, and in a gross accumulation of their own feces.

Thanks to the efforts of The Association of Sanctuaries, an organization that would later become the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), PAWS, and others, new homes were found for all of the monkeys. Three Capuchins — Zeppo, Groucho and Chico — came to live at our Galt Sanctuary.

When they first arrived at PAWS in August 1996, it was clear that the three tiny capuchins had not had an easy life. When we moved them into their spacious new enclosure — complete with trees to climb, branches to perch on, and ropes to swing from — they were intrepid and amazed. They approved the fresh, green grass with a mixture of wonder and glee and it was only a few hours before they were acting like “real” monkeys again. No more cowering or fear for these little ones. Infact, they were so full of fun and joy that PAWS co-founder, the late Pat Derby, named them the Marx Brothers. All these years later, they continue to bring us joy with their antics and games.

CHICO (Capuchin, Cebus capucinus)

In December 1995, sheriff’s deputies in Johnson County, Iowa, seized 50 monkeys from the home of a woman in Shueyville after veterinarians and health officials ruled that the animals were malnourished and living in unsanitary conditions. Two of the monkeys died shortly after being removed from the home where, according to reports PAWS received at the time, the animals were living with little or no food or water, and in a gross accumulation of their own feces.

Thanks to the efforts of The Association of Sanctuaries, an organization that would later become the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), PAWS, and others, new homes were found for all of the monkeys. Three Capuchins — Zeppo, Groucho and Chico — came to live at our Galt Sanctuary.

When they first arrived at PAWS in August 1996, it was clear that the three tiny capuchins had not had an easy life. When we moved them into their spacious new enclosure — complete with trees to climb, branches to perch on, and ropes to swing from — they were intrepid and amazed. They approved the fresh, green grass with a mixture of wonder and glee and it was only a few hours before they were acting like “real” monkeys again. No more cowering or fear for these little ones. Infact, they were so full of fun and joy that PAWS co-founder, the late Pat Derby, named them the Marx Brothers. All these years later, they continue to bring us joy with their antics and games.