Freedom at Last: Five Monkeys Rescued from Cruel Roadside Zoo Find Sanctuary

A group of three baboons named Zeus, Monet, and Calliope, and two vervet monkeys named Blue and Bear, have recently arrived at the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary in South Texas after being held in a now infamous and abusive roadside zoo. These five brave survivors were rescued during a major operation earlier this year when more than 300 animals were removed from the West Coast Game Park Safari in Oregon, where animals were found suffering from neglect, malnourishment, and unsafe living conditions, with some even found dead on the property.

The zoo’s owner, Brian Tenney, was indicted on more than 370 counts, including animal welfare violations as well as drug, weapons, and racketeering charges. The animals formerly held on his property have since been transferred to sanctuaries across the country, where they are finally experiencing the lives they deserve.

Now, five more of his former victims are beginning new lives of safety and freedom at Born Free’s 175-acre property, joining over 200 other primates who also call the sanctuary home.

Upon arrival, the team at Born Free found that Zeus, Monet, and Calliope are all suffering from heart conditions — a common problem among primates who are not kept in appropriate environments. Although they will now receive the medical treatment and enrichment they need, there are countless other primates across the United States still suffering from the effects of inadequate living conditions and subpar care due to the country’s lax laws on private primate ownership.

That is why the Captive Primate Safety Act, reintroduced earlier this year in Congress, is so important. This critical legislation would end the private possession of primates by prohibiting private ownership and interstate or foreign commerce of non-human primates. If passed, it would make an enormous difference for so many animals across the country who deserve the same second chance as Zeus, Monet, Calliope, Blue, and Bear.

Although the bill would not directly impact accredited zoos, it would help prevent primates from being sold into the private pet trade and then funneled into low-budget roadside attractions like West Coast Game Park Safari. Many animals who begin their lives as pets ultimately end up in these kinds of facilities when they grow too large or their owners can no longer care for them, as there are limited options for rehoming exotic pets. As a result, they often end up in places that exploit them for profit, perpetuating a cycle of neglect and abuse. The Captive Primate Safety Act is a vital first step toward breaking this pipeline of suffering and preventing future tragedies like those uncovered in Oregon.

Today, Zeus, Monet, Calliope, Blue, and Bear are among the lucky ones. But their rescue underscores just how urgent it is to protect other primates still trapped in the exotic pet trade. We must keep pushing until their story is the norm, not the exception.

You can help by sharing our campaign in support of the Captive Primate Safety Act with your network and urging Congress to take action now.