Seated beneath Mount Waialeale, on the island of Kauai, the small sanctuary of Da Love-Ananda Mahal is a rich and powerful place.

A small group of non-humans reside here. Currently these are some parrots and domestic cats. Fear-No-More Zoo and Gardens has a presence here but is still to be developed.

Some years ago we cared for a troupe of beautiful Black and White Colobus monkeys.

Colobus monkeys at Da Love-Ananda Mahal

Bebe, Nyere, Toby and Tika lived together in a tall, spacious environment that enclosed a large Hawaiian koa tree. To watch them live and interact with one another was to observe true contemplative culture in action, and in repose. From the vantage of their spacious enclosure the four monkeys looked out upon the lush green grounds of Da Love-Ananda Mahal Sanctuary. Bebe and Toby, particularly, stood watch from their lofty perches, maintaining a constant vigil of awareness.

In the latter part of 2002 it was decided that we should find a new home for our much loved friends. Although we had created a large and excellent habitat for them, we began to realize that we were inadequately experienced to meet the growing needs of these maturing monkeys. For their sakes we began searching for a new and caring home where they would have access to the best all around care. It was heart-breaking for everyone involved to know that we would soon be seeing our beautiful friends on their way. The search for a new home spanned a full year. We were committed to finding the best possible situation for them. Eventually we made contact with Primarily Primates in Texas, and we finally felt we had found the place for the Colobus group to go to.

Primarily Primates was lauded by many of our contacts and after a good deal of research we decided to try to get the monkeys accepted there. Preparations began and within a few months Bebe, Nyere, Toby and Tika flew from Kauai to San Antonio, Texas. Carol Smith, their caretaker for the previous six years, traveled with them to ensure a safe journey and to help them settle into their new home.

Today, Primarily Primates continues to provide exemplary care for the animals in its care.

Egrets on the Sanctuary lawns

Monkeys are serious animals. Small or large, they are intelligent, complex primates who should not really be in captivity, let alone be someone's pet.

Fear-No-More Zoo strongly recommends against the keeping of monkeys by anyone other than those who have sufficient resources and experience.



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