Joe and Lucy: the Congo Monkeys
Aluata palliatta

Joe and Lucy came to Monkey Park over five years ago. The first one to come was Lucy, and a few months later, Joe. Both were orphans, a frequent situation for the baby Congos. This happens most often during the dry season which runs from December to April in Costa Rica. We don’t know what happened to Joe’s mother, but according to the person who brought Lucy; her mom was electrocuted on the public electrical lines.

Living as a couple
Joe and Lucy are now adult Congos. In theory, they could mate and reproduce. However, living in captivity has impaired their natural instincts and because of their more sedentary lifestyle they are not in tune to the physical attributes that Congo monkeys usually display as part of their courting process.