Endangered spider monkey rescued in drug raid gets new life, California zoo says

An endangered spider monkey found by deputies looking for drugs is doing well at a California zoo, officials reported.

The animal’s owner agreed to surrender the monkey, now named Violeta, to the Oakland Zoo after the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office served a narcotics search warrant in Vallejo, the zoo said in a Monday, May 12, news release.

An initial exam showed Violeta is in decent health and about 18 months old, the zoo said. More detailed exams are planned to fully assess her health.

She is “doing well” in her temporary home, which has been stocked with blankets and toys, the zoo said. Zoo workers are feeding her fruits, vegetables and baby formula.

Spider monkeys are classed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature “due to habitat loss, hunting and the exotic pet trade,” the zoo said.

“Spider monkeys are currently one of the most trafficked animals across the border,” the zoo said. Mothers and families are often shot down from trees in order to capture baby monkeys.

“Many times, the baby is killed or injured due to the fall,” Colleen Kinzley, vice president of animal care, conservation, and research at the zoo, said in the release.

“Once they enter the pet trade, these animals typically do not receive a proper diet or adequate socialization with other monkeys, which can lead to lifelong physical and mental health issues,” Kinzley said.

Violeta, who is being treated at the zoo’s veterinary hospital, cannot receive visitors at this time, the zoo said. Once she recovers, the zoo will work with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to find her a suitable permanent home at a zoo or sanctuary.

The sheriff’s office did not release any information on arrests or charges in connection with the Vallejo search.

Oakland is about a 10-mile drive east from San Francisco.

This story was originally published May 12, 2025 at 11:47 AM with the headline "Endangered spider monkey rescued in drug raid gets new life, California zoo says."