Sadness as Kodak the Capucin monkey passes away

Saturday 13 April 2019

Every animal earns a place in keepers’ hearts at the GSPCA, so the staff and volunteers were saddened this week to hear of the death of Kodak, the tufted Capuchin monkey who stayed with them for six months quarantine in 2007.

Since then, he had spent 12 happy years at the Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary in Cornwall, until he passed away a few days ago.

His life wasn't always happy though, as Kodak had started out in the wild, before being taken into captivity and sold as a pet to an owner in Greece. He came to realise that it was cruel to keep Kodak isolated from his own kind, and agreed to hand him over to a sanctuary, but first the monkey needed to spend six months in quarantine. The GSPCA, as one of the few centres able to take in such an exotic animal, agreed to look after him. 

Four quarantine cat pens were modified for Kodak and ropes and swings added in preparation for his arrival while Forest Stores catered for his dietary requirements. When he left to begin a new life with other monkeys in Cornwall, smitten GSPCA workers followed his exploits online with some members of staff even going to visit him from time to time. 

Keepers at the Wild Futures sanctuary this week posted a tribute to Kodak, saying; "Kodak was an incredible character, loved dearly by humans and monkeys alike. He was an intelligent and courageous monkey, who overcame many obstacles to grow into a confident alpha male, and leader of his small group of capuchins.

"He will be remembered for his inquisitive nature, his skill of swapping stolen objects back to the care team for a grape or two, his tail banging in excitement of a good meal, but mainly for his huge excited scream of hello every morning when he would see his favourite humans for the first time. Rest well Kodak, you will be missed by us all." 

Steve Byrne, GSPCA manager, said the team was ‘very saddened’ when Wild Futures posted news of his death on their Facebook page. 

He said: "The team at the GSPCA are delighted that Kodak had such a lovely time at Wild Futures and send our condolences and thoughts to all that cared and supported such an incredible capuchin."

Pictures shows Kodak the Capuchin Monkey. All images provided by the GSPCA.