Five spider monkeys rescued from smuggling at Border Patrol checkpoint near Kingsville

KINGSVILLE, Texas – The U.S. Border Patrol made an unusual discovery Tuesday when agents found several spider monkeys during a checkpoint inspection.

Border Patrol agents at the Javier Vega Jr. checkpoint near Kingsville found five spider monkeys being smuggled across the U.S.-Mexico border, according to a social media post from the agency’s Rio Grande Valley sector.

A K-9 alerted the agents to a vehicle on Highway 77. After a brief inspection, they discovered the monkeys hidden inside.

The Border Patrol social media post said the agents cared for the animals and coordinated their transfer to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Spider monkeys, native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, are recognized for their long tails and agility when swinging from tree to tree.

According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), spider monkeys are considered an endangered species. They are protected from being imported as pets under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as well as regulations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

However, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums reported that spider monkeys are one of the most trafficked species across the U.S.-Mexico border. This is due to demand from the illegal exotic pet trade, which is largely fueled by social media.

In response to the issue, IFAW and the Wildlife Trafficking Alliance launched the “Not a Pet” campaign to raise awareness. The campaign emphasizes that while these exotic animals may appear cute, they do not make good pets, and the trade causes harm to their ecosystems.