Elsa was confiscated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service after a major federal investigation into illegal breeding and trafficking on the Dark Web. She was one of eight monkeys rescued on March 31, 2025.

From the moment she arrived at Jungle Friends, she made her presence known, filling the air with a wide variety of calls and sounds. Some were familiar to our staff, while others were completely new, unlike anything we had ever heard before. She made them so often that her then neighbor and now best friend, Stephanie, picked up the same quirky calls.

Like many monkeys who come from difficult backgrounds, Elsa needed time to adjust to her new surroundings and caregivers. With patience and care, she slowly revealed her spirited personality. Today, she is outgoing, bold, and talkative. She loves playing with her blankets and can often be spotted enjoying sunny afternoons with her partner Stephanie, a female golden-handed tamarin. Together, they make a lively pair.