News and Alerts » January 2008

FERGUSON FINDS NEW FRIENDS

Ferguson, our macaque monkey who lived for many happy years with Harriet, the baboon, is enjoying a new home and new friends, human and non-human, at the Folsom Zoo Sanctuary.

This will be the first time in the history of PAWS that we have ever sent an animal from the sanctuary to another facility, and the move was made after over a year of research, planning and careful evaluation of Ferguson’s future.

We could not allow him to live alone, and the juvenile macaques at Folsom were the right age for socializing with the mature and lonely Ferguson. Additionally, the zoo staff and administration share our goals and philosophies regarding captive wildlife and their care. It seemed the perfect solution for Ferguson, although, selfishly, we were all sad to lose our little friend who made every day better with his comical antics and sweet affection for everyone.

On Monday, March 3, Ferguson and a small entourage, which included his veterinarian and two of his favorite keepers, made the short trip to Folsom. After his release into an enclosure adjacent to his future companions, Wallace and Darwin, Ferguson investigated all his new toys and his new digs, then climbed up to a top shelf and initiated contact with the two smaller simians who were cautiously watching.

We will report on Ferguson’s activities and post photographs for his many friends and supporters.