In loving memory

Linito

Date of birth: late 1980s
Place of birth: Venezuela
Date of arrival at MONA: February 14, 2024
Date of transfer: May 1, 2024 (to Rainfer, Madrid)

A capuchin monkey who had been living alone in an apartment in Barcelona for 35 years. He was temporarily at MONA until he recovered enough to make a trip to what was to be his permanent home, to live with other animals of his own species.

Tico

Date of birth: 1985
Place of birth: Equatorial Guinea
Date of arrival at MONA: July 8, 2005
Date of death: June 29, 2023

When he arrived, he had a complete lack of social behavior due to having lived alone in a zoo until he was 18. It took many years, but he finally learned to live in a group, to enjoy playing and hugging and to venture more around the facility. Peaceful, he avoided conflicts, but he was always the least sociable and most introverted.

Bea

Date of birth: 1985
Place of birth: Cameroon
Date of arrival at MONA: May 14, 2012
Death date: June 8, 2022

Her owner acquired her through a circus agent when she was about 10 years old, because she was no longer fit for the job. She was very sociable and enjoyed the company of everyone else as well as wandering around the large facility looking for food and attention.

Abu

Date of birth: 2004 approx
Place of birth: unknown
Date of arrival at MONA: November 5, 2008
Date of death: April 16, 2021

We do not know most of Abu’s past, but we do know that he was abandoned in a dog shelter.
From his appearance, he was probably acquired illegally as a pet and confined in insufficient space without the stimulation or company of others of his own species.

Toni

Date of birth: 1983
Place of birth: Cameroon
Date of arrival at MONA: August 23, 2001
Date of death: December 13, 2020

Rescued from an animal trainer who used him for the circus and TV. Unfortunately, his physical appearance made him easily recognizable, as he was extremely small due to a severe spinal malformation related to his traumatic past. He made up for his small stature with his great personality, which made him very loved by other chimpanzees and keepers.

Charly

Date of birth: 1989
Place of birth: Valencia
Date of arrival at MONA: February 26, 2001
Date of death: October 30, 2020

His former owner was a chimpanzee trainer who used him for television shows and films. He lived for more than eight years in a truck, locked in a cage from which he never left. He had a reserved character and was very sensitive and intelligent.

Julio

Date of birth: 1981 approx
Place of birth: unknown
Date of arrival at MONA: July 8, 2005
Date of transfer: November 21, 2007 (to Stichting AAP, Netherlands)

He spent the first years of his life moving from zoo to zoo. He arrived here with Tico and later Victor joined them, forming a very curious group. In the time we had to get to know him he proved to be a very good leader, patient and calm.

Chafi

Date of birth: 2004 approx
Place of birth: Morocco
Date of arrival at MONA: January 15, 2010
Date of transfer: March 26, 2010 (to “el Karpín”)

Victim of the pet trade. She was found in a town near Barcelona, on a balcony where a small, modified barbecue was used as an improvised cage. She arrived very overweight and with many stereotyped behaviors, among the most serious was self-harm on her limbs. MONA was a transit center and we transferred her, with FAADA, to “El Karpín”.

Fez

Date of birth: unknown
Place of birth: unknown
Date of arrival at MONA: April 21, 2012
Date of transfer: April 25, 2012 (to “el Karpín”)

Possible victim of illegal species trafficking. He was located in Torroella de Montgrí and MONA was a transit center. We transferred him with FAADA a few days later to “el Karpín”.

Toto

Date of birth: 1956
Place of birth: unknown
Date of arrival at MONA: April 28, 2003
Date of death: March 8, 2013

Transferred from a zoo after living in solitude for 15 years. A great leader, role model for the younger ones and Romie’s sweet companion.

Sara

Date of birth: 1998
Place of birth: in captivity, Valencia
Date of arrival at MONA: March 31, 2003
Date of death: January 12, 2012

During her early years she was frequently separated from her mother Romie to be used in TV programs, such as “Crónicas Marcianas” by Telecinco. She showed obvious trauma and some broken bones from the bad experiences of her early years.

Romie

Date of birth: 1979
Place of birth: in the wild
Date of arrival at MONA: August 23, 2001
Date of death: November 12, 2010

She spent years locked in a cage inside a truck, giving birth to infants that were snatched away to be trained for the circus and the world of show business. She was very sweet and at MONA she finally had the opportunity to take care of the little ones, being the adoptive mother of the group.

Pancho

Date of birth: May 27, 1990
Place of birth: in captivity, Valencia
Date of arrival at MONA: February 26, 2001
Date of death: October 20, 2007

Another “star” of the circus and TV. Before his rescue he lived locked in a cage inside a truck. A nice, mischievous and very, very short-sighted being.

Parín

Date of birth: May 2005
Place of birth: Morocco
Date of arrival at MONA: September 18, 2003
Date of death: July 7, 2006

Victim of illegal pet trade. She was located by Valencia Customs inside a car traveling by ferry from North Africa. She was hidden, with Pipa, inside a shoebox.