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May 7, 2004

Dear Friends of Jungle Friends,

The excitement this month is about the upcoming arrival of the newest, and youngest. JF primate. Udi is a year-old spider monkey, still very much a baby. He is scheduled to arrive at the sanctuary in about two weeks... which doesn't give us much time to build his new home! Here's more about Udi, from his foster-mom Kelley...

Udi's Story

Udi is a baby spider monkey. He was pulled from his mother’s arms when he was two weeks old, and brought to New York City to be sold as a pet. Udi was bought on a whim by a man who knew nothing about the needs or care of a baby monkey. He just thought it would be “neat” to have a monkey.

A month later, Udi was found in the man’s basement: alone, cold, and with no food. Imagine a month-old baby in this situation. Udi was rescued by a friend, and eventually the little monkey landed in my care. That was almost a year ago, when Udi was two months old. He weighed just two pounds and was completely helpless.

I didn’t know anything about monkeys, either. I had no idea that having a monkey is not like caring for a pet -- it’s like raising a baby! But since Udi entered my life, I have fallen completely in love… and I have learned A LOT about monkeys. Most importantly, I learned that I can never provide what Udi really needs to thrive and be happy. Monkeys are social animals; they NEED to live with their own species, outdoors – not in a NYC apartment with people! They need natural sunlight, and space to climb and swing. Monkeys will NEVER be domesticated. THEY ARE WILD ANIMALS!

Because I love him so much, I knew I had to find a better place for Udi – and I found it! JUNGLE FRIENDS is an accredited 501(c)3 non-profit Primate Sanctuary that provides permanent care for unwanted monkeys. Most of the primates are cast-offs from the exotic pet trade or entertainment industry – monkeys who have fallen into the wrong hands, or are simply no longer wanted.

Jungle Friends currently cares for 40 monkeys – with more on the waiting list. They do not breed them, re-sell them, exhibit them or do research on them – they just care for them.

NOW WE NEED YOUR HELP! We need to raise $5,000 to build Udi’s new habitat at Jungle Friends. Please consider making a contribution… Udi and I will be so grateful!

Thank you so much for your kind attention.

Lots of monkey love,
Udi and Kelley

If you would like to help Udi, please visit Jungle Friends' website, www.junglefriends.org. Here's some of the ways to contribute...

--Sponsor-A-Monkey by pledging a monthly contribution from $10 to $100. If you'd like to sponsor Udi, you can set up your sponsorship at the Online Donations page... then email us to let us know you've selected Udi. Contact cj@junglefriends.org if you have any questions about sponsorship or need assistance.

--Order Monkey Art – original canvases, or prints framed with a picture of the monkey artist – makes a great gift or conversation piece!

--Send beautiful Year of the Monkey cards to your friends & family! Each card includes an ORIGINAL 3x5 or 5x7 monkey painting.

--You can also make a one-time donation in any amount on the Online Donations page, or send a check to Jungle Friends at: 13915 N. State Road 121, Gainesville, FL 32653.

When donating in support of Udi, please include a note or email cj@junglefriends.org to let us know.

Thank you, always, for you interest and concern for these wonderful creatures!