AnimalZone: Monkey Business in Paradise - Season 15, Episode 06

In the quiet countryside of Osteen, Florida, a remarkable sanctuary offers a second chance for one of the world’s most intelligent—and misunderstood—primates. In this episode of AnimalZone, we visit Primate Paradise, a unique refuge created by Mary and Andy Wasko for capuchin monkeys who needed a safer and more natural home.


Many of the monkeys once lived as exotic pets. As babies, capuchins are irresistibly cute—often selling for $10,000 to $15,000. But once they mature, their wild instincts return. Capuchins are not domesticated animals, and many former owners eventually discover that these clever primates would much rather live outdoors with their own kind.


Engineer Andy Wasko designed an ingenious enclosure that surrounds a stand of living trees, allowing the monkeys to climb, leap, and swing through the forest canopy while remaining protected from predators. It is the only sanctuary in the United States where capuchin monkeys can run freely through trees within a secure habitat.


Life at Primate Paradise is surprisingly refined. The residents enjoy a carefully balanced diet of fortified biscuits with essential minerals, fresh fruit, chicken, and shrimp for protein. Contrary to popular belief, bananas are not their favorite treat—grapes win the popularity contest every time.


And like any lively community, the monkeys have their own personalities. One charismatic fellow named Sammy has perfected the art of flirting by raising his eyebrows at the ladies. Visitors quickly learn another important social rule: you can look a capuchin in the eye, but never show your teeth—even laughter can be misinterpreted as a threat.


With lifespans of 25 to 30 years, capuchins require lifelong care and can even develop many of the same ailments as humans, including colds, heart disease, and diabetes. Thanks to Mary and Andy’s dedication, these remarkable primates now live in a place where their instincts—and their personalities—can truly flourish.


For more information about Primate Paradise, visit: https://www.facebook.com/capuchinsanctuary/

Uploaded on Mar 15, 2026 at 5:11 pm