She is the most famous monkey in the
world having appeared in a number of Hollywood blockbusters and
currently being one of the most highly-paid stars on U.S. television.
But along with the success Crystal the Capuchin monkey has accrued since she first appeared in George of the Jungle in 1997, she has also brought with it an unsettling trend - keeping the wild animals as pets.
As Crystal's popularity soared after appearing in Night at the Museum, The Hangover Part II and most recently in NBC's Animal Practice, she inadvertently sparked an epidemic of cruelty to thousands of monkeys.
These monkeys are forced to live in
cramped, tiny cages where their minds and bodies slowly deteriorate
simply because those seeking the much-coveted pet do not know how to
properly look after them.
Animal Rights Groups believe there are thousands of the Capuchin monkeys being ill-treated and neglected as private owners struggle to deal with them.
'You have people who think it's cool to keep a monkey – so there's a certain amount of status involved in it,' said Brooke Aldrich, the campaign manager at Wild Futures, a primate sanctuary in Cornwall, England.
She added that most people who buy Capuchins do not understand what is involved in looking after them and don't even bother obtaining a license for them.
'There are very, very few people who keep monkeys who intend to do any harm,' she told The Independent.
'But if you don't know what a monkey needs, then you can do a whole lot of harm without realizing it.'
The 20-year-old monkey became a household name when she appeared as Dexter in Night At The Museum with Ben Stiller and Ricky Gervais.
But she was propelled into super Hollywood status after her role as a drug dealing monkey in The Hangover Part II - stealing the show of stars like Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis when she appeared at the premiere in a pink dress and pearls.
What many people do not realize is that Crystal lives with her handler and trainer Tom Gunderson and his family. Both Tom and his wife are professional animal trainers who have looked after Crystal since she was two-years-old.
When
the so-called organ-grinder monkeys reach sexual maturity around
five-years-old, they can turn dangerous and destructive. This is one of
the reasons why wildlife officials adamantly oppose Capuchins as pets.
Megan Talbert, executive director of Boston-based service monkey training academy Helping Hands, said: 'Unfortunately in the U.S., many monkeys purchased as pets do not get the care and attention they deserve throughout their 30-to-40-year lifespan.'
But along with the success Crystal the Capuchin monkey has accrued since she first appeared in George of the Jungle in 1997, she has also brought with it an unsettling trend - keeping the wild animals as pets.
As Crystal's popularity soared after appearing in Night at the Museum, The Hangover Part II and most recently in NBC's Animal Practice, she inadvertently sparked an epidemic of cruelty to thousands of monkeys.
As Crystal's popularity soared after
appearing in Night at the Museum, The Hangover, Part II and most
recently in NBC's Animal Practice, left, she inadvertently sparked an epidemic
of cruelty to thousands of monkeys
Debut: Crystal made her first movie appearance in George of the Jungle in 1997 when she was just three-years-old
Hollywood star: Crystal really captured the nation's hearts as Dexter in Night at the Museum alongside Ben Stiller, pictured
Animal Rights Groups believe there are thousands of the Capuchin monkeys being ill-treated and neglected as private owners struggle to deal with them.
'You have people who think it's cool to keep a monkey – so there's a certain amount of status involved in it,' said Brooke Aldrich, the campaign manager at Wild Futures, a primate sanctuary in Cornwall, England.
She added that most people who buy Capuchins do not understand what is involved in looking after them and don't even bother obtaining a license for them.
Since the success of the Night at the Museum and
the Hangover II purchases of capuchin monkeys like Crystal have become
more popular
Stole the show: Crystal was a drug-dealing smoking monkey in The Hangover Part II
Megan Talbert, executive director of monkey
training academy Helping Hands, said: 'Unfortunately in the U.S., many
monkeys purchased as pets do not get the care and attention they deserve
throughout their 30-to-40-year lifespan'
'But if you don't know what a monkey needs, then you can do a whole lot of harm without realizing it.'
The 20-year-old monkey became a household name when she appeared as Dexter in Night At The Museum with Ben Stiller and Ricky Gervais.
But she was propelled into super Hollywood status after her role as a drug dealing monkey in The Hangover Part II - stealing the show of stars like Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis when she appeared at the premiere in a pink dress and pearls.
What many people do not realize is that Crystal lives with her handler and trainer Tom Gunderson and his family. Both Tom and his wife are professional animal trainers who have looked after Crystal since she was two-years-old.
Actress Kristen Bell poses with Crystal at the
Hangover II pemiere. Animal rights groups have said that individuals
underestimate the cost and effort involved in keeping a capuchin as a
pet
Famous admirers: Crystal (with trainer Tom Gunderson) kisses self-described biggest fan Justin Bieber a kiss on the cheek
Megan Talbert, executive director of Boston-based service monkey training academy Helping Hands, said: 'Unfortunately in the U.S., many monkeys purchased as pets do not get the care and attention they deserve throughout their 30-to-40-year lifespan.'
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