Four endangered Mexican spider monkeys seized from smugglers are now living at the Saint Louis Zoo.

Zoo officials say federal authorities seized the monkeys in the spring of 2024 at the U.S. southern border as infants in three separate confiscations. They say each was likely poached from the wild to be sold as an exotic pet. In those instances, the poachers typically kill the infants’ mothers during capture.

The three females and one male arrived at the Saint Louis Zoo in April where they were gradually introduced to resident adult female spider monkey Patty.

They made their public debut in July and officials say they are thriving.

And while spider monkeys are a highly social species, they each grew up without their mothers or family bonds. All four were hand-reared as infants and continue to need specialized care.

One still carries a piece of birdshot lodged in her body.