I arrived at Sibu Wildlife Sanctuary at the end of May 2019, feeling lost and confused. At just 1.5 years old, I’ve already experienced more upheaval than any young monkey should. My journey here began in Tamarindo, a beautiful beach town in Costa Rica, but not in the way you might think. Instead of swinging freely through the lush jungle canopy with my family, I was kept as a pet by a human.
Now, as I try to readjust to a more natural life, I’m facing challenges I never expected. The world of trees, sounds, and fellow monkeys feels strange and overwhelming. I often wonder why humans think it’s acceptable to pluck animals like me from our homes in the wild. Perhaps they believe they’re doing us a favor, offering us a life of comfort and care. But the truth is, no matter how well-intentioned, taking a wild animal as a pet is never the right thing to do.
The kind and patient staff at Sibu are working tirelessly to help me reintegrate into monkey society. They’re trying to introduce me to an existing troop, but it’s not an easy process. I need time to learn the social cues, the hierarchy, and the daily rhythms of monkey life – things I should have learned naturally from my family and community in the wild.
For now, Sibu is my safe haven. Here, I receive the specialized care and resocialization training I need to eventually return to the jungle. The sanctuary has become my temporary home, a place where I can heal and learn at my own pace. The staff understands that my journey back to the wild can’t be rushed, and they’re committed to supporting me every step of the way.
While I work on becoming a “real” monkey again, I’m enjoying some of the simple pleasures of life at Sibu. My days are filled with delicious fruits and leaves – my absolute favorites! And I’ve even made a best friend named Ome. Together, we play, groom, and keep each other company, which helps make this transition a little easier.
I’m grateful for the second chance I’ve been given at Sibu, but my story serves as a reminder of the importance of leaving wild animals in their natural habitats. One day, when I’m ready, I’ll return to the jungle where I belong. Until then, I’ll continue my journey of rediscovery, supported by the dedicated team at Sibu Wildlife Sanctuary.
Location: Sibu Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Santa Marta, a few kilometers Northwest of Nosara.
Visit www.sibusanctuary.org to see how you can help Kintu and his friends!
SIBU’s mission is to rescue injured, orphaned, and displaced wild animals and provide them immediate medical care, rehabilitation, and eventual release into the wild. When the animals are determined to be strong, healthy and old enough to be re-integrated into the jungle they begin a step-down release program. Animals unlikely to survive in the wild receive a permanent enriching habitat for their life-term care.
