Monkey held captive for 11 years

Authorities have rescued a spider monkey at a house in the San Pedrito area of San Pedro where the animal has been held captive for some eleven years. The female spider monkey is described as being in very poor condition and extremely underweight. The monkey was rescued during a special operation carried out by members of the San Pedro Police Department, the Tourism Police Unit and American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES) on behalf of the Belize Forestry Department.  Word from San Pedro is that the monkey was tied to a rope that was fastened to a metal chain and hooked to a small shed in a yard. The rescued spider monkey was transported to the Wildtracks facility in Sarteneja Village in the Corozal District where it will be treated and rehabilitated. It is estimated that the monkey is about twelve years old, but because of her poor health, it may take a few months to determine her age. The monkey is said to be weighing in at ten pounds which is forty percent below her ideal weight.  Wildtracks is reporting that it is the most emaciated monkey ever rescued for rehabilitation. Spider monkeys are classified as a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and in Belize they are protected under the Belize Wildlife Protection Act. San Pedro police have not detained anyone and investigations continue.  Notwithstanding, they say that the matter is for the Forestry Department to prosecute. On another note, just a week ago, ACES discovered a tortured American Crocodile in the same vicinity where the spider monkey was found.