Baby Monkey Who Lost His Mom to the Illegal Pet Trade is Recovering Thanks to a Big Stuffed Animal

Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT) recently rescued a baby northern pig-tailed macaque who is no older than two months. Before the rescue, he was kept as a pet, fortunately for just a very short period of time.

The rescue explains the macaque was poached from his home in the wild and likely witnessed his family being captured and killed. After that, he was sold through pet trade to become someone’s pet. Now, however, he is beginning to recover from this trauma at the WFFT Wildlife Hospital, receiving the medical care he requires and all the attention and love he needs. His rescuers have named him Mongkood and are working their hardest to help him overcome the horrors of his past.

Due to his very young age, Mongkood is still very confused about his mother not being with him. He cried for her and could not be comforted…

The baby’s caretakers found a way to ease Mongkood’s discomfort and fear – he now has a plush companion, a big stuffed animal to climb on and hug.

The stuffed toy is, of course, nowhere near being the mother figure he should have had – but it is a little comfort in this difficult time. At least, little Mongkood now has something to cuddle.

Unfortunately, Mongkood’s life in the wild was cut short thanks to human desire for profit and the mindless participation in animal trade. Sadly, he is hardly the only monkey to face such a fate.

Luckily, there are people who are determined to help those foundlings, bring them back to health, and return them to the wild.

Macaques, like Mongkood, are some of the most widespread primates. They have complex social structures and, like all primates, are exceedingly intelligent and social. However, this species is being threatened by humans, as they are often used in animal testing, hunted for meat, and captured to be sold as pets. The northern pig-tailed macaque is listed as a Vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and their population has declined over 30 percent over the last three generations. Given the role that humans have played in the downfall of the macaque, we can all play a part in helping them recover.

One of the best things you can do to help monkeys like Mongkood is Support the work of WFFT. Click here to visit WFFT’s website and learn more.

All image source: WFFT/Facebook