Iris arrived at Jungle Friends at age seven with a reputation already in place: clever, daring, and absolutely done with living in a cage. Formerly kept as a pet and left to live alone, Iris had her own plans. She staged a dramatic escape and made a break for freedom, eventually settling into a Florida orange grove, complete with a lake view and all the citrus she could eat. Her brief taste of the wild made one thing clear: this was a monkey who needed more than confinement. She needed space, stimulation, and the chance to write her own story.

Since joining the sanctuary, Iris has found all of that and more. She’s formed a strong bond with her companion Fat Larry, and the two are rarely seen apart. Whether they’re grooming in the sun, foraging together, or simply lounging in each other’s company, they’ve carved out a peaceful, affectionate routine.

Iris has mostly retired from her escape artist days, but the spark of that daring explorer still shines through. She inspects every detail of her enclosure with quiet precision, and she’s not above reminding staff of her skills when the mood strikes. These days, though, her real obsession isn’t fences- it’s blankets. Iris adores them. If they’re not tied down securely, she’ll quietly sneak them outside, arrange them just so, and make herself comfortable. On chilly days, she wraps up like a burrito; on warmer ones, she spreads them out like picnic blankets, piles them up into thrones, and snacks like royalty as she watches her caregivers work.

Graceful, observant, and still just a little bit sneaky, Iris has traded in high-stakes escapes for high-comfort lounging, and she’s never looked happier. Her days of solo survival are long gone, and in its place is a life filled with friendship, fresh air, and all the blankets a clever monkey could ever want.