Gucci arrived at The Monkey Sanctuary in 2011 with two other monkeys.

As is all too often the case, not much of her past is known, but it is clearly evident that she was born into the UK primate pet trade as her parents belonged to different species of capuchins that would never interbreed in the wild.

Gucci looks a little different because she has a cleft lip and palate, meaning it is very likely that her mother didn’t receive the appropriate nutrition whilst pregnant. Sadly, this is very common as breeders have little knowledge about the monkeys they keep, or simply do not care enough to do anything to help them.

Due to having been deprived of a natural social life in her younger and impressionable years, and having likely been forcibly removed from her mother as an infant, Gucci can be an introverted and anxious character. She initially struggled to socialise with the other monkeys, but is now an integral member of our weeper capuchin group.

She particularly loves new enrichment and, despite her insecurities, her social skills have hugely improved and she often plays games with her good friend, Chanel. She still sometimes covers up her anxiety with aggression, but Gucci is a real character at The Monkey Sanctuary and has overcome so many hardships in her life. We’re so proud of her!