Chico

Species: Japanese Snow Macaque
DOB: May 22, 2002
Arrived at SPS: December 22, 2007
Origin: Former pet in West Palm Beach, FL

Chico is a sharp, energetic japanese snow macaque who arrived at SPS after repeatedly escaping from his home. He likes to sit at the top of his tall enclosure where he scopes out and keeps a close eye on the entire sanctuary activity.  He calls out to others when he sees food being fed to others or when he wants attention. Chico likes cold drinks from the hose, as he studies closely the person giving the drinks and sometimes offers his backside or arm for a quick scratch.  Chico loves cashews and other nuts, and prefers fruit over vegetables.

One of Chico's favorite games is hide-and-seek using his green plush monkey, affectionately called “his baby.” He will hand it to caregivers so they can hide it outside his enclosure, then retrieve it and hand it back to be hidden again—or sometimes he even asks them to make it follow him around like a baby macaque! While he can be gentle, his long arm reach keeps his keepers on alert as he can sometimes steal a glove or plastic bag and then excites in the chase!