An 18-month-old spider monkey named Violeta has been rescued during a narcotics-related search warrant executed at a Vallejo, California, home on May 7.
The young primate was surrendered by her owner during the raid conducted by the Solano County Sheriff’s Office and subsequently transported to the Oakland Zoo’s Veterinary Hospital for specialized care, according to press release from the zoo.
In an email response to Newsweek, Isabella Linares, Oakland Zoo’s marketing manager, confirmed the primate’s care and said they “do not have a timeline yet for when she will move to a new home, but we will post an update once we have one.”
Newsweek also reached out to the Solano County Sheriff’s Office via email on Saturday for comment.
Why It Matters
Spider monkeys are classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with some species critically endangered and nearing extinction due to habitat loss, hunting, and the exotic pet trade.
Additionally, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) prohibits the ownership of primates as pets. Permits are only issued for qualified individuals or institutions for specific purposes like research, public exhibition, or shelter.
The incident underscores the growing demand for exotic pets, as spider monkeys have become one of the most commonly trafficked animals across the U.S.-Mexico border, according to wildlife officials.
What To Know
The investigation began on May 6 when Solano County Sheriff’s deputies initially apprehended 50-year-old Clifford Vicenty during a traffic stop where they discovered narcotics, leading to the subsequent search of his residence, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Deputies seized approximately 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $26,000 and later discovered two rattlesnakes alongside the endangered primate during a narcotics-related search warrant execution on May 7. Violeta was later transferred to the Oakland Zoo’s Veterinary Hospital for specialized care after being surrendered by Vicenty.
Veterinary staff report the primate is in “decent health” and receiving specialized treatment including UV light therapy, calcium supplementation, and a nutritious diet with formula to strengthen her bones. The zoo says that spider monkeys typically nurse for their first two years and remain close to their mothers until age four, making Violeta’s separation particularly concerning for her development.
This incident marks the second spider monkey rescue for the Oakland Zoo this year. In December, the zoo reported that it rescued another baby spider monkey named “Azules” after a California Highway Patrol traffic stop in Madera County.
The primate has since recovered and was relocated to a permanent sanctuary in February, according to zoo officials.
What People Are Saying
Colleen Kinzley, VP of Animal Care, Conservation, and Research at Oakland Zoo: “Infant spider monkeys in the pet trade are often the result of their mothers and family members being shot down from the trees to capture the baby. Many times, the baby is killed or injured due to the fall. Once they enter the pet trade, these animals typically do not receive a proper diet or adequate socialization with other monkeys, which can lead to lifelong physical and mental health issues.”
Nik Dehejia, CEO at Oakland Zoo, wrote in the press release: “Wildlife trafficking is a growing conservation crisis, driving countless species, like spider monkeys and other nonhuman primates, toward extinction. These animals are often exploited through the exotic pet trade, kept in unsafe, inhumane conditions that threaten both their welfare and public safety.”
He added: “The Captive Primate Safety Act, recently introduced in Congress is a critical step toward ending this exploitation by banning the private ownership of primates and reinforcing our national commitment to responsible wildlife protection.”
Oakland Zoo
What Happens Next?
After Violeta completes her recovery, the Oakland Zoo says it will collaborate with the CDFW and the Wildlife Confiscation Network (WCN) to place her in an accredited zoo or sanctuary where she can join a troop of other spider monkeys.
Concerned citizens can support these efforts through donations at www.oaklandzoo.org/give or by learning more about responsible pet ownership through resources like NotAPet.Net.
