EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Two infant spider monkeys were provided critical care and sheltered after being rescued from a recent smuggling attempt, the City of El Paso announced in a news release sent Tuesday, Sept. 17.

The monkeys, both between four to eight weeks old, were seized at a U.S. port of entry and transferred to the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens about a week ago, according to the City.

The City said trafficked animals like the endangered spider monkeys are often subjected to extreme physical and psychological distress. Found in poor health, they are typically malnourished, confined in small spaces, and deprived of proper care, the City said.

Thanks to the swift actions of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), these animals were “cared for by the El Paso Zoo’s expert team, and received nutrition, medical attention and comfort they desperately needed,” the City said.

The zoo’s veterinarians and animal care staff provided specialized care including age-appropriate food, infant formula, and a secure, warm enclosure, according to the City.

The monkeys were then handed to the Mexican government agency Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Procuraduria Federal de Proteccion al Ambiente).

“Removing these animals from illegal trade is vital,” said Joe Montisano, El Paso Zoo director. “By doing so, we disrupt the financial incentives driving wildlife trafficking. This rescue also highlights the dangers of keeping monkeys as pets. While they may seem manageable as infants, they often become dangerous and difficult to care for as they mature.”

Spider monkeys, like other primates, require complex social environments and specialized care that most private individuals cannot provide, according to the City.

Trafficked monkeys not only pose risks to themselves and their owners but also carry the potential to transmit diseases. To raise awareness, the zoo encourages the public to learn more at www.notapet.net and www.aza.org/wildlife-trafficking-alliance.

“In addition to the rescued spider monkeys, the zoo is home to three Geoffroy’s spider monkeys, two females and one male, which can be seen year-round in the Americas section. Spider monkeys are native to Central and South America, and all species are currently listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN),” read the news release.