SONNY

Species: Java Macaque (Crab-Eating Macaques)
DOBs: | Sonny – October 17 (SPS Assigned, Year Unknown)
Arrived at SPS: Sonny – 2009
Origin: Former research subject in a diabetes study (Novartis, NJ)

Sonny is an elder Java macaque who arrived at the sanctuary in 2009 from a diabetic research program along with his former roommate Alvin. Macaque monkeys are often used in research as their genetics and physiology closely resembles humans. Sonny’s behaviors reflect the unseen journeys of primates used in scientific studies. He is always on alert and tends to be overly cautious, backing away if he feels you are in his space. Despite years of being away from research, it has been a hard transition, but he has shown a bit of solace with the sanctuary’s commitment to offer him peace, dignity and gentle care in his later years.

While Sonny’s exact age is unknown, he appears much younger. He enjoys simply sitting in a swing or on a hammock and quietly and cautiously watching activity around him. He appears to delight in having nothing to do and nowhere to go, taking his retirement very seriously. He is starting to engage in some new enrichment activities such as painting and finding foods in a hidden tube and newspaper box. Sonny is also on a special diet and continues to be monitored with close attention to his health and well - being. He likes beans, romaine lettuce leaves, oranges, peanuts, peanut butter and most veggies.