Duncan and Astro

Duncan is a favorite to many of the caregivers at the Suncoast Primate Sanctuary. His caregivers refer to him as their little engineer. This sweet, 16-year-old long-tailed macaque is inquisitive and extremely intelligent and will try to figure out how every toy he is given works. He can disassemble anything he is given so his caregivers need to be creative in making his enrichment toys. 

Every caregiver knows Dunc-A-Roo gets a new, soft, fleece blanket every day, even in the hot summer. He will look at his caregivers gratefully as he wraps his new blanket around his head.

During enclosure cleaning time, he will either sit up high on his perch until the caregivers are all done cleaning his home or come down and let them give him showers with the hose. And they don’t dare try to take his old blanket without trading him for a new one first! 

Duncan’s favorite foods are plums, mangoes, apples, and peanuts. During feeding time he must first look inside the bowl to see what there is. Contrary to the monkey norm, he is not a fan of bananas!

This summer Duncan was paired up with another macaque named Astro. They immediately started to play wrestle and have been fast friends since their introduction. 

Duncan is just so sweet and loved by so many at the sanctuary.

Astro is a male crab-eating macaque who came to Suncoast Primate Sanctuary in 2009 after spending his early years in a medical research facility related to diabetes research.

His story reflects a broader reality: according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), over 65,000 nonhuman primates are used in research, testing, and teaching across the United States each year. Crab-eating macaques, in particular, are one of the most commonly used species in such studies due to their physiological similarities to humans and their adaptability in lab environments.

Once retired from research, Astro and Nova, one of his neighbors here at the sanctuary, were transferred to SPS to live out their lives in a safer and stress free environment.  Astro and Nova now live in peace, surrounded by the natural sounds of the sanctuary. Their presence is a quiet but powerful reminder of the lives that exist behind the scenes of medical advancement—and the importance of offering rest and dignity to those who once served in its name

Astro has taken a liking to his roommate, Ducan. Together they engage in grooming, play time, water hose drinking and water play, and friendly competition to see who can grab the care-giver’s spoon the fastest. They are a very fun and happy pair.

Astro shows affection towards caregivers by turning sideways indicating a wish for connection. He is rewarded with a little rub on his leg or lower back. He also likes conversation with his caregivers in which he responds with his eyes and raised eyebrows.  

Astro enjoys climbing to high perches and basking in the sun. His diet is carefully monitored due to histories in diabetic research, He receives fresh vegetables and low-sugar foods and has a passion for yellow peppers.

Astro’s playful spirit has shown that there is hope for research animals to live a more playful and enjoyable life after their time of service.