Abu Dhabi: An animal lover is looking for a suitable home for a baby monkey which was reportedly found in Abu Dhabi’s Al Reef area last week.
The baby monkey, now named Jack, was found by a couple when he jumped into their home. Unsure about what to with the monkey, they handed him over to Afra Al Daheri, founder of Cloud 9 Pet Hotel and Care, known in the community for her love for animals.
“He was in a very bad shape and he was very scared. He had a chain round him which was so tight that it had left a mark on his belly,” said Al Daheri.
Al Daheri had the monkey medically checked, vaccinated and is now trying to find him a suitable home.
“We are trying to contact the zoos across Abu Dhabi to see if they can take him. So far two have said that they cannot [take him], because they have enough monkeys,” said Al Daheri.
“We are just trying to make a decision as to what to do with him, to keep him or to give him to the authorities,” she added.
Al Daheri, who confessed to growing very attached to Jack “by the hour”, said she does not believe that monkeys should be kept at home
“They need the proper environment and they need a proper enclosure,” said Al Daheri.
“Monkeys are also very social so they don’t like to be alone, it’s not fair to them. This is one of the reasons why I am thinking twice about keeping him here… I feel he might be lonely,” she added.
Al Daheri said she believes a suitable home for Jack to be a zoo or a controlled environment by someone who already has experience with monkeys.
What does she think about the fact that Jack may have once been a pet and was perhaps abandoned?
“We encourage anyone who has any type of wild animal, or animal in general, not to just throw them outside. They can contact the authorities, they can contact veterinary clinics, or they contact me directly and I will be more than happy to help. But please don’t throw any animals in the streets.”
“Not only will you affect the animal but the animal can attack someone else and hurt them badly,” she added.
Al Daheri said she once saw someone throw their pet python in the street, but luckily she was there to collect the snake, which she now keeps at her facility.
