Wright Park Zoo: Tufted Capuchin Monkey Passes Away

City of Dodge City

DODGE CITY, Ks. — Wright Park Zoo staff and the City of Dodge City are deeply saddened to announce the sudden passing of Vern, the Capuchin Monkey, on October 29, 2019.

Vern was found unresponsive by staff early in the morning, and while the Zoo’s contracted veterinarian did everything they could to revive him, he passed away at the vet clinic. The cause of his sudden decline is unknown at this time; however a necropsy will be done to try and determine the cause.

Vern came to the Wright Park Zoo in 1988 with a female, Charro, both 1-year-old at the time of their arrival. The pair had at least four offspring, and their two youngest sons, Jack and Pickett, are part of the current capuchin troop at the Zoo. Capuchin monkeys are native to South America and live mostly in trees, only coming to the ground occasionally for food and water. Their populations are declining in the wild as they face threats of deforestation, habitat loss, and capture for the pet trade.