Ellie Mae has always had a sparkle in her eye and curiosity to spare. She was purchased as a “pet” at just five weeks old, far too young to be separated from her mother. As a tiny youngster, her playful antics and expressive personality quickly won over everyone around her. But as Ellie grew, so did her natural monkey instincts, making it clear she needed more space and more stimulation than a human home could provide. Ellie Mae’s humans realized she needed monkey companionship. With her best interests at heart, her family made the heartbreaking decision to bring her to Jungle Friends to live a monkey life.

From the moment she arrived, Ellie Mae fit right in. Known for her mischievous charm, she has a signature greeting that’s impossible to miss—excited chirps, animated expressions, and a playful bounce backward on all fours, as if she’s putting on a show just for you. It’s hard not to smile when Ellie Mae is in a playful mood, which is often.

Ellie Mae now shares her days with Frodo, a fellow white-faced capuchin who perfectly matches her energy and sense of adventure. Together, they leap through their habitat, balance on the rope ladders, race through the runways, and investigate every new toy they find.

At Jungle Friends, Ellie Mae has the freedom to explore endlessly, play joyfully, and be exactly who she was always meant to be: a monkey.