Medical Neglect Cases by JFPS

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On January 14th 2020 Anna Claire was taken to the University of Florida small animal hospital to have surgery on her right arm after breaking both her ulna and radius. This surgery included 2 sperate plates, one on the ulna and one on the radius to stabilize her bones. It was unknown how exactly Anna broke her arm in her habitat but during this time (doing x-rays) we confirmed that Anna Claire had been spayed when she was a pet. Being spayed can affect the development of bones and organs and it is believed this could be one factor that contributed to Anna breaking both bones in her arm. Anna Claire recovered from this surgery for a few days inside with 24-hour care-staff supervision to make sure she did not mess with her incisions and that her behavior was properly monitored, and diabetes managed. Anna was then given limited runway access and eventually given free access into her habitat again with vet approval given her improved condition. UF asked for Anna to have x-rays done 3 months after her surgery and again at 6 months after her surgery to evaluate the plates and pins that were put on her bones. At the 3-month x-ray check at a local vet hospital the offsite vet did not feel Anna Claire's bones were healing as well as he would have liked so he put her on a few supplements and prescribed medication to help her bones recover. Anna Claire continued to move about her habitat and was back to her normal self. During her visit to UF for surgery her blood was drawn and an A1C and Fructosamine were done. Anna's numbers were a little high but after consulting the local off-site vet it was decided not to change her Glipizide and Metformin amounts because she was already on high doses. Routine blood draws were suggested to continue to monitor her numbers and get a better understanding of how controlled her diabetes was.   When previous management was terminated from JFPS in July of 2020, volunteers and staff changed medications that were given to the primates without consulting the off-site veterinary who prescribed said medications. They discontinued all of Anna Claire's supplements only continuing her diabetic medications. Anna was also due for more x-rays in July but the ED was upset with staff and management about the complaints being turned in to regulatory agencies regarding the conditions the monkeys were living in and the lack of care, that she refused to let Anna go in for this check up and said she would be fine.  On January 23rd of 2021 Anna Claire rebroke both bones in her right arm near the existing plates. She was taken to the University of Florida Small Animal Hospital to have her arm looked at three days later, the 26th. Then, she had another surgery on her arm the 28th of January. During this visit her blood was drawn and an A1C and Fructosamine test were done. Anna Claire's numbers were very high, but Dr. Collins, the vet of record for the sanctuary, said that was because of the stress from breaking her arm and being at the hospital for surgery. When Anna returned to the sanctuary after her second surgery, she was kept in a squeeze cage in the indoor building for weeks to recover then put back out with her sister Katie Scarlett. Anna's appetite decreased during her recovery and her urine was tested for ketones and glucose once, these test results were off the chart. The ED told the lead caregiver at the time that capuchins have naturally higher sugar levels and that she shouldn’t worry about it. Nothing was done about Anna Claire's diabetes after this urine check. The ED also told this lead caregiver to tell other care-staff that Anna’s blood was being checked every day if they asked which was a lie – they were not being checked at all. Kansas care staff were not even made aware of Anna Claire's blood results from UF. Over the next few weeks Anna Claire's abdomen became distended and was noticed by care staff. When they brought this concern up to management nothing was done. Dr. Collins (the vet of record) was not concerned about this bloat. In the meantime, the off-site vet who managed Anna’s care previously was never consulted about Anna Claire's blood results from UF or her distended abdomen. During this time Anna Claire also displayed sticky fur which can be a sign of excess glucose in the urine that gets stuck on the hair during urine washing, sleeping, etc.   On Tuesday, March 2nd during closing a Kansas care staff radioed that Anna Claire was not acting right and was in her heat cave and not coming out (which was unlike her, as she would normally come to this staff member), the ED responded that Anna was probably just staying in her heat cave to stay warm and to just leave her. This same care staff had been concerned for Anna for a week prior to this but she was ignored by management. On Wednesday March 3rd at 7:35am a Kansas care staff radioed for assistance at Anna Claire's habitat. The ED was off property at the time, leaving a volunteer and an intern to help. Anna was found in her heat cave covered in vomit and diarrhea but still alive. She was rushed to the local veterinary hospital to see the off-site vet that previously handled Anna’s care (approximately 35 minutes from the sanctuary). Upon arrival Anna Claire was having seizures, was in a comatose state and was very dehydrated. After the off-site veterinarian preformed care for Anna, including checking her blood glucose which would not register on the meter, meaning it over greater than 600, and giving her fluids he was unable to bring her sugar down or get her stable. He then referred Anna to UF, while calling UF to give them an update on Anna Claire's condition, Anna passed away. Per the off-site veterinarian Anna Claire died of Ketoacidotic shock due to uncontrolled diabetes.  After her death instead of allowing UF to complete an extensive necropsy on Anna that would have given full details on her diabetic state causing her death JF chose to have Dr Collins preform a less detailed necropsy at the sanctuary.  (Since Anna Claire was an established patient at UF the necropsy would have been no charge)  This is not the first monkey to die from uncontrolled diabetes at the sanctuary, and without proper vet care, knowledgeable staff and adequate management the primates will continue to die.

Last August a brown capuchin named Loopy passed away at JFPS.  His story is heartbreaking - this shows yet again that changes must be made to provide the proper care the monkeys deserve. The fight will continue until we get JUSTICE FOR JUNGLE FRIENDS MONKEYS!!   On Tuesday August 4th 2020, Loopy, a healthy male brown capuchin monkey, went to the offsite veterinarian for a tooth abscess treatment and 3 teeth were extracted. He was prescribed an antibiotic and returned to JFPS the same day.  On Wednesday August 5th, JFPS staff reported to the ED that Loopy was lethargic, uninterested in water, and his appetite was not normal. Thursday the 6th, staff reported the left side of Loopy’s face was swollen. Friday the 7th, staff reported that his appetite was good in the morning but subdued again by evening and when he vocalized his voice was hoarse.  On the morning of Saturday the 8th, staff reported that Loopy was found collapsed and unresponsive in his habitat. The offsite veterinarian was unable to see him.  Dr. Collins, JFs vet of record, was informed of Loopy's decline but did not come to see Loopy until the morning of Sunday August 9th. On Sunday, Dr. Collins examined Loopy and said his gums and tongue were white, and his only suggestion to staff was to keep Loopy comfortable.  He did not recommend taking him to UF Small Animal Emergency Hospital and the ED did not either.  Loopy died on August 9th.   The ED was responsible for giving Loopy his antibiotics, they were prepared on bread with peanut butter, he took the bread, but he was not consuming it.  Instead, he would smear it on his cage or he threw it on the ground. It was radioed by the sanctuary manager that there were globs of peanut butter seen on the ground in the habitat and concerns that Loopy was not getting his antibiotics.  The ED and her assistant had a radio conversation talking about how Loopy would not take his antibiotics and the ED stated, “the meds were just as a precaution, but it wasn’t a big deal if he ate them.” (The proper protocol for staff when giving out medications is to watch the monkey consume the meds before walking away. If for any reason the monkey does not consume the entire dose of medication (at times they do not like the media the medication is mixed in/on or they may drop the medication) then the medication is remade and given again to assure it is eaten.)  A necropsy was performed by Dr Collins (vet of record) and his conclusion was Loopy died from the chronic infection from the root abscesses.  This is pure neglect that the ED did not ensured Loopy took the antibiotic that was prescribed by the offsite veterinarian after surgery. Critical days passed when Loopy’s health was declining, and he did not get the medical attention that may have saved his life.  This is one of many examples when the ED and JF’s vet of record do not follow through with the medical care the monkeys at JF need.

On September 29th, Murphy Brown had several episodes of seizures after waking up from anesthesia between 11:30AM and 12:00 PM.  She was then taken to Kari Bagnall’s personal home.  Kari was responsible for caring for her the rest of the day.  But in the early afternoon the USDA inspectors arrived for a check up inspection.  Kari was out with them for hours and NOT caring Murphy. Murphy suffered from Acute Gastric Dilatation between 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Murphy Brown was not taken to an emergency veterinarian for life saving care. She was left to sit in a squeeze cage in the ED’s home to suffer and maybe be looked at every 2 hours but not given the emergency care that she needed and deserved.  While she was left unattended, she aspirated food down into her bronchi and her airway was blocked and she could not breath and passed away at 1:00 AM .  There were so many things done wrong that day that ultimately cost Murphy Brown her life.  Why was she not taken to the emergency vet hospital when she started having seizures after waking up? Why was she not rushed to the vet hospital later in the evening when she started to bloat? Why was someone not watching her constantly while in the ED’s home? (In the past when a monkey was having health concerns staff stayed at the monkey’s side with eyes on the monkey 24/7 and stayed in contact with a vet if any concerns were seen)  It is heartbreaking to know that Murphy Brown was failed by the very person who was solely responsible for her care and the care of all the monkeys at JFPS. This is the very reason we will continue to fight for these monkeys.  Someone must be their voice and let the world know what is really going on.  It seems JFPS is not being transparent with everyone instead they are keeping secrets. ** It has come to our attention that Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary has once again failed one of their beloved primates.   Last Wednesday it was posted that the two insulin dependent diabetic capuchins had blood draws completed so they could be started on a new experimental  medication for their diabetes.   After the blood draws were completed and Harley came out of sedation, he was returned to his habitat with his friend Missy.   Sadly, Murphy Brown had complications and was not returned to her habitat - instead she was taken to the ED’s home for observation.   At some point she began having seizures. It is unclear what medical care was given to her, but she was not taken off property to the UF vet hospital for emergency treatment.   Instead she remained at the ED’s home and passed away. It has now been a week since this horrible death and JFPS has still not been transparent with this outcome and is continuing to act as if “all is fine” at the Sanctuary.   All IS NOT fine!! Another monkey has died!!   Murphy Brown is the 28th primate to pass away in the past 15 months.   RIP sweet Murphy Brown – like all the others you were promised so much more and deserved a much better life.

Scar – a brown capuchin – was born in 2001.  He was brought to JF when the WAO Sanctuary closed in 2010. Scar was a big boy who lived for many years with his buddy Larry.  A few years ago, they had a falling out and were separated.  After that Scar met some lovely ladies and was a very happy boy. Until one day in August 2020 when a care staff notice Scar did not come to the second food bowl that was passed out late morning.  Sadly no one noticed that he did not come up to the first bowl passed out a few hours earlier. When they investigated further, Scar was found deceased in the habitat. Staff at the time admitted they couldn’t recall doing a health check on Scar the night before when closing. When Scar's body was found it was obvious his death was not recent, rigor mortis had set in and there were ants in his ear. Given the state of which Scar’s body was found it was clear he passed away more than just an hour before he was found. With the lack of staff and poor management at the “sanctuary” who knows when the last time a proper health check was done on Scar.  

Charles Manson was a brown capuchin who was estimated to be born in 1987 and used in the same research lab that Dr Collins once oversaw. Charles Manson came to JF in 2005. Sadly, he passed away in December 2021. His death is one that is very concerning to many. Just another case of medical neglect by the leadership/vet of record at JF.   This is what we have learned:   Charles Manson was left in his indoor enclosure at Jody’s Wellness Jungle to suffer for three days before succumbing to his illnesses in December 2021. Care staff had noted Charles Manson’s condition was worsening at the end of November into December. They were instructed to give him more specialized foods and limit his outdoor access during unfavorable weather. He was not seen by a vet at this time.   As Charles Manson continued to decline during the first week of December, the E.D. instructed the care staff in charge of medicating capuchins and spider monkeys to give Charles Manson expired diazepam. This decision was made solely by the E.D., without vet approval or diagnostics. Instead, the E.D. merely sent a text to the vet of record telling him they had administered diazepam; the vet of record then agreed to this treatment.   Charles Manson stopped eating and drinking over the next three days and was only pushed to take the diazepam, no subcutaneous fluids were given, and oral fluids were not pushed. Though requested by the care staff as his condition became dire, Charles Manson was not seen by the vet of record or the offsite vet and any communication on his condition was via email between the E.D. and the vet of record.   The reason for the lack of vet intervention given by the E.D, was he was "too old". Instead, the E.D. decided to provide “hospice” to this monkey without any diagnostics being done and instructed care staff to do bare minimum, push diazepam, in regards to “hospice”.

 Mochi – a brown capuchin that came to JF as an infant in Oct of 2010 when the Wild Animal Orphanage (WAO) closed - passed away the weekend after the USDA inspectors were out early February. 

Mochi was a young monkey at 11.5 years old with no prior health concerns.  On Saturday morning Feb 5th he was seen foaming at the mouth.  The first thoughts were that he possibly ate a frog.  (This has occurred in the past and does cause foaming.) Later in the day staff reported that he seemed to be doing better.  But then Saturday evening he was seen foaming at the mouth again.  On Sunday he was removed from the habitat and put in a squeeze cage and taken to the Founder/ED’s home for observation. At some point on Sunday, he began having seizures while under observation.  Early Monday morning Feb 7th Mochi passed away. 

During this two-day period Mochi was never taken to the emergency vet clinic, that is available 24 hours a day, to get lifesaving treatment.  Instead, he was kept  at JF in a squeeze cage and denied the chance to receive proper medical care or have anyone fight to save his life.