MIDLAND, TEXAS —
West Texas isn't known for being monkey-friendly, with few trees and a dry landscape.
Therefore, bringing an animal that thrives in one environment to a completely new location can cause harm.
Nevaeh Watson, Chief Technician at A to Z Veterinary Clinic, said: “With such a quick response, too many changes can happen too quickly, which can lead to serious illness and extreme stress.'' ” he said.
But it's not just the change of location that puts them at risk.
Monkeys are susceptible to many of the same diseases as humans.
“I like to say that monkeys are generally like infants,” Watson said.You're basically buying another toddler to take care of for the rest of your life. And of course, these young children, if they get sick, you get sick, and vice versa. If you get sick, just give them what you have. ”
Mr Watson said monkeys are very high maintenance and require a great deal of care and attention to live healthy lives.
“We're in Texas, so temperatures change quickly and randomly, so when it's not regulated it can be very tough on them. There's definitely a reason for that. But in Texas, as you know, there are a lot of things that are already floating in the air because of the spread of diseases like COVID-19, and they're coming into Texas. Even so, they are already at high risk of contracting various diseases.”
Watson also said that even if the monkeys were kept in Texas, problems could still arise because their bodies aren't built for conditions in West Texas.
