In an unexpected twist of events at the city’s wildlife sanctuary, visitors were left in shock when Anna, a curious and playful capuchin monkey, bit baby monkey Ara on the hand. What began as a playful interaction quickly escalated into a tense moment, leaving zookeepers and onlookers scrambling to ensure the safety of both animals.
Anna, known among the staff for her mischievous behavior, has always been the more assertive of the sanctuary’s primates. Ara, on the other hand, is the newest addition—a tiny, soft, and timid infant monkey who has been slowly adjusting to her new environment. That morning, zookeepers had arranged a supervised play session, hoping the two monkeys would bond. However, things did not go as planned.
Witnesses described the incident as both alarming and fascinating. “It all happened so fast,” one visitor recalled. “Anna seemed playful at first, grooming Ara gently. But then, out of nowhere, she grabbed Ara’s hand and bit down. I couldn’t believe it!” The bite, though startling, did not cause serious injury. Ara let out a squeak of surprise and quickly pulled her hand away. Staff immediately intervened, separating the two monkeys and attending to Ara with gentle care.
According to the sanctuary’s primate behavior expert, such incidents, while distressing to humans, are not uncommon in monkey interactions. “Monkeys communicate in many ways, and sometimes biting is their way of asserting boundaries or expressing frustration,” the expert explained. “It’s important to understand that Anna wasn’t being malicious—she was simply exploring her environment and testing social dynamics.”
After the incident, Ara was monitored closely for any signs of injury or distress, and staff ensured she received extra comfort and reassurance. Anna, meanwhile, was given time to calm down and reflect her social behavior in a safe space. The sanctuary plans to slowly reintroduce them under even closer supervision to encourage a positive relationship.
