Fat Larry’s story began with one of the most dramatic rescues in Jungle Friends history. He was one of 25 capuchins saved from a bankrupt roadside zoo, where he lived in tight quarters with a large extended monkey family. At first, the rescue seemed simple, but things got complicated when three surprise babies arrived! Despite claims that all the males, including Larry, had been vasectomized, it turned out that wasn’t quite the case. Soon after, Larry and the other bachelors were moved to their own group until things could be properly sorted out.

When he first arrived at the sanctuary, Larry lived up to his name. He was delightfully round, incredibly relaxed, and more than happy to kick back and let the snacks come to him. But with a bit of freedom, some fresh air, and a habitat full of enrichment, Larry started moving more, playing harder, and trimming down. These days, he’s affectionately known as The Lean Machine, and while he’s certainly more agile, his easygoing attitude and love of treats haven’t changed a bit.

Larry is a monkey who knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to ask for it, especially if what he wants is a snack. He’s known for reaching out a hand with the confident expectation that a treat will appear, and if it doesn’t, he’s got a whole repertoire of dramatic looks to let you know how he feels about that. He’s also incredibly devoted to his partner, Iris. The two are rarely far apart, and Larry takes his role as her personal bodyguard very seriously. He keeps a watchful eye on their shared space and doesn’t hesitate to step in if someone gets a little too friendly with his girl.

Full of personality, charisma, and a little bit of attitude, Larry has become one of the sanctuary’s most lovable characters. He may have slimmed down, but he’s still larger than life.