Mico is impossible to miss, mostly because he greets the people he loves with one of the biggest, happiest smiles you’ll ever see. When he’s especially thrilled, he throws both arms out, lets out an excited scream, and beams with pure joy, a welcome that feels like sunshine in monkey form. Though he’s famously partial to men, Mico has a soft spot for his female caregivers too, flashing that signature grin at anyone who has earned his trust.

Before coming to Jungle Friends, Mico lived as a privately kept monkey, a situation that left him stressed and diabetic by the time he was surrendered. Upon arrival, he required insulin to manage his condition, but with careful attention, a healthy diet, and the freedom to move and explore, he has flourished. Today, his diabetes is managed without medication, and his vibrant energy says everything about how far he’s come.

Mico shares his habitat with his longtime companion, Miki Moo, forming a steady and affectionate partnership. He’s often seen patrolling their runways with great seriousness, as if personally responsible for keeping everything in order. When he’s not on “duty,” he indulges in two favorite pastimes: shaking branches and plants just for the fun of it, and curling up in a soft blanket nest at night. With his expressive face, joyful greetings, and larger-than-life personality, Mico brings a special kind of sparkle to every day.

On February 26, 2016, Jungle Friends received an email that stopped everyone in their tracks. “I saw people dump a pet carrier on the side of a highway. When I checked it out, there was a terrified, bleeding monkey inside. He had no teeth, patches of missing fur, and a collar around his neck. Everywhere I called refused to take him, and I didn’t want him to be euthanized.”