Samantha

Sweet Samantha, the beloved monkey who inspired the creation of Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary, was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in December 2016.

Despite her fighting spirit, Samantha’s cancer eventually spread to her lungs, making it harder and harder for her to breathe. On December 2, 2017, just shy of her 25th birthday, Samantha passed peacefully from this world to the next.

Samantha spent her final moments cradled in Kari’s arms, surrounded by family and friends, deeply loved and cherished. She was known for her playful spirit and was famously mischievous, often plotting pranks on new volunteers to keep everyone on their toes. Samantha’s love for life was contagious—she embraced every moment, living it to the fullest until her very last day.

Her legacy lives on at Jungle Friends. Because of Samantha, hundreds of monkeys have found a safe and loving home where they, too, can live freely and joyfully. Samantha’s memory will remain forever woven into the sanctuary’s heart, and those who knew her will remember her with love every day.

Here is her video