OSTEEN, Fla. — In a trend on social media, people are showing off the pet monkeys they own, often to generate revenue for their animals.

Experts say owning a primate may not be a good idea for most people.

A refuge for rescued monkeys at Primate Paradise in Osteen, Fl. (Spectrum News/Randy Rauch)

Owners are often forced to give up their monkeys because they can no longer take care of the animals.

That is where Andy and Mary Wasko come in, caring for animals at their sanctuary in Osteen.

The couple has dedicated their lives to animals that people can no longer care for.

The Waskos tend to open their nonprofit to guests who are thinking about getting a pet monkey, with the hopes of talking them out of their plan.

“They get to feed Miley. She is a favorite, usually, because she usually likes to lay her head in your hand,” Mary said.

A refuge for rescued monkeys at Primate Paradise in Osteen, Fl. (Spectrum News/Randy Rauch)

The couple of 50 years created Primate Paradise in 1993. 

The property is in Volusia County, offering 20 lush acres near a lake, surrounded by tall trees that make a home for 15 capuchin monkeys. 

The animals get to live up in the trees in a large open-air habitat as opposed to being locked up in cages by their former owners.

“They don’t want to live in small cages. They don’t want to be dressed up or wear a diaper. And as a result, they start giving their owners trouble,” Mary explained.

The couple says capuchin monkeys sometimes turn on their owners, often with aggression, and the owners don’t know what to do and usually want to get rid of the animals.

A refuge for rescued monkeys at Primate Paradise in Osteen, Fl. (Spectrum News/Randy Rauch)

When someone drops off their pet to the couple, it is often heartbreaking for the owner having to surrender a primate they can no longer take care of.

“It’s difficult for the owner and it is hard for us to see that, but it’s the best decision for the monkey,” Andy said.  

When a new monkey comes to the sanctuary, they can’t just release it into this open-air habitat. 

It first needs to go into lockdown, where it will learn the social skills of being a wild monkey.

“Capuchins locked up their entire life don’t know how to interact with other monkeys and slowly need to be introduced to their treetop freedom,” he said.

“These monkeys have a lot of needs that their owners are totally unaware of.”

A refuge for rescued monkeys at Primate Paradise in Osteen, Fl. (Spectrum News/Randy Rauch)

During this time of year, they are busy keeping the primates warm during Florida’s cold weather spells.

Huts located around the property have heaters that kick on anytime the temperature drops below 60 degrees.

“Rain does not bother them. Heat does not bother them. Hurricanes don’t bother them. The cold bothers them,” Andy said.

Primate Paradise is a nonprofit, and there is no charge to visit and even feed their monkeys.

They prefer people that visit have a serious interest in wildlife or someone who is thinking about getting a monkey as a pet, where they will teach them the challenges of raising such an animal.

You can reach Primate Paradise by calling 407-321-7217.

A refuge for rescued monkeys at Primate Paradise in Osteen, Fl. (Spectrum News/Randy Rauch)