Meet
Zeppo

Zeppo, a capuchin monkey, was rescued from a private owner who had kept 50 monkeys in deplorable conditions.

In December 1995, sheriff’s deputies in Johnson County, Iowa, seized the monkeys after veterinarians and health officials determined they were malnourished and living in unsanitary conditions. Tragically, two of the monkeys died shortly after being removed from the home, where they had been surviving with little or no food and water, surrounded by a gross accumulation of their own feces.

PAWS, along with other reputable sanctuaries, stepped up to provide lifelong care for all of the rescued monkeys. Four of them arrived at our Galt sanctuary (now closed) in 1996. Zeppo and Chico, the remaining two of the group, were later transferred to our ARK 2000 sanctuary where all of our animals now live.

The monkeys’ playful spirits inspired PAWS co-founder, the late Pat Derby, to name them after the famous Marx Brothers.

Today, Zeppo and Chico are among PAWS’ longest-term residents. Despite their age, they continue to be active, curious, and full of life.