What should have been a quiet afternoon turned painful for little Daniela, a young monkey still learning the complex social rules of troop life. While playing near the edge of the enclosure, she found herself the unexpected target of an aggressive outburst by an older female monkey named Dee Dee.
Without warning, Dee Dee approached and began yanking at Daniela’s hair—hard. Not just once, but repeatedly, in a mean-spirited act of dominance or frustration. Daniela screamed and tried to escape, but Dee Dee held on tightly, plunking fistfuls of her hair with no mercy. The little monkey shrieked in pain and confusion, struggling to free herself.
The attack didn’t last long, but it felt endless. By the time caregivers stepped in and separated them, Daniela was trembling, her scalp sore and patchy where hair had been pulled out. Her eyes were wide, and she clung to the nearest soft blanket offered, whimpering softly.
Thankfully, the staff was able to treat her quickly—cleaning small scrapes and applying soothing balm to her tender skin. More importantly, she was given space, comfort, and affection to calm her frightened little heart.
Aggressive acts like this can sometimes occur in monkey troops, especially when there’s stress, competition, or unclear social hierarchy. However, sanctuary staff are now watching Dee Dee closely and working on behavior correction through gentle discipline and group rebalancing techniques.
