Gulf Coast Primate Sanctuary
70 INDA ROAD
PERKINSTON,MS 39573
1(228)365-6578
info@GulfCoastPrimateSanctuary.org
**We do not sell or breed.**
"Rebuilding Trust Together: A Sanctuary for Animals and People."
501(c)(3) EIN#33-1747216
Our Mission
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Our Mission
Gulf Coast Primate Sanctuary is a USDA-licensed, nonprofit 501(c)(3) monkey sanctuary located in a peaceful community in South Mississippi. We exist to provide permanent, lifetime care for New World Monkeys who have nowhere else to go.
Many of the primates who arrive at our sanctuary have endured instability — ex-pets, individuals from the entertainment industry, zoos, laboratories, breeding facilities or monkeys confiscated by authorities. They come to us with different background stories. Some have history of trauma and need to rebuild trust. They cannot return to the wild. They deserve safety, dignity, and lifelong protection.
With a specialized care team that includes two primate-focused veterinarians, experienced caregivers, and trained volunteers, we provide the highest standard of medical, physical, and behavioral care possible — always in accordance with USDA regulations and the Animal Welfare Act.
Monkeys need monkeys. Social structure matters. Stability matters. We work intentionally to build appropriate troop environments that allow each species to live as naturally and socially as possible outside of their native habitat.
But healing does not stop with the animals.
Through our UNPLUGGED program, we extend our mission to veterans and first responders navigating PTSD and stress-related challenges. In a structured, supervised, USDA-compliant environment, participants assist with sanctuary operations and learn the same principles that help our primates recover: consistency, patience, boundaries, and earned trust.
Primates mirror energy. Trust cannot be forced. It must be built.
As our monkeys regain stability, participants often rediscover it within themselves.
At Gulf Coast Primate Sanctuary, we are not simply housing primates.
We are restoring stability.
We are protecting dignity.
We are building trust — one life at a time.
Tours & Experiences
Loading days...
1 hr 30 min
From 5 US dollars
We are not open to the public, but will do tours by appointment only.
Meet
Photo by Ed Noles
Our Sanctuary Residents
Meet the animals that make up our Sanctuary Family. Please consider donating to help support our residents. Each Donation will go directly to the care of the animals.
Spider Monkey
WAYLON
male, owner surrender from the pet trade in July 2025. He was 2 years old when he came to us.
Waylon is a total love bug. He loves to hold hands and blow kisses. He really enjoys wrestling with his new lil brother in the troop (Louie). His favorite foods are Spinach, Bananas and Mango. Favorite activities are climbing to the top of the enclosure to watch the sunset and jumping on the bounce house.
Common Marmoset
COCO
Coco came to the Sanctuary Family in August 2025 at the age of 11. She is a retired Breeder Monkey.
Coco is loving life at the Sanctuary. One of her favorite things to do is to lay in her hammock in the sunshine. She watches the birds in the trees and enjoys watching her next door neighbors, the squirrel monkeys. She loves fresh blueberries and Mango. She is really loving climbing on all the tree branches and bamboo in her large enclosure.
Kinkajou
Diago
Male Kinkajou. Diago was owner surrendered to us in February of 2025 from the pet trade. He was 3 years old when he came to us.
Diago loves to mess with our Sanctuary dogs on the property by running along the side of his enclosure, just above their heads. His favorite food is fresh bananas and mangos.
Squirrel Monkey
HARLI
Harli came to join our Sanctuary family in June 2025 at the age of 8 years old. She was owner surrendered from the pet trade.
Harli is known for her tendency to take just about anything she can get her hands on and hide it in her hammock, affectionately earning her the nickname "Harli the Hoarder"
Squirrel Monkey
MAX
Max joined our Sanctuary Family in June 2025. He was owner surrendered from the pet trade at the age of 8 years old.
Max is our sweetheart. Max loves to grab hand fulls of live meal worms and tries to get them all before Harli can hoard them all. He loves the tunnel system connecting his inside room to his outdoor enclosure. He lays in the tunnel system and rolls over so we can rub his belly.
Spider Monkey
MAYBEL
Owner Surrendered to us in July 2025 from the pet trade. Maybel was 2 years old when she came to us.
Maybel is the Super Model of the Sanctuary. She's always moving with grace. She's always ready to show off her moves to anyone that is
watching. Our volunteers have so much fun watching Maybel strut her stuff.
Her favorite food is fresh blueberries
Kinkajou
BALOU
Owner Surrendered to us in Feb. 2025 from the pet trade. He had a zoo exhibit background prior to being a pet.
Balou is super sweet and we're not exactly sure how old he is. We think he was at least 8 years old when he came to us. He is kinda like an old man that just wants his own space. He loves his head and back rubbed. His favorite food is fresh bananas.
Common Marmoset
GIZMO
Gizmo is a retired Breeder Monkey and came to us in August 2025 at the age of 10.
He is enjoying just being a monkey. His number one thing to do, is to protect his lady friend(Coco), whom he came to the Sanctuary with. His favorite food is live meal worms. He also loves to play with a ball (or any toy) that makes noise.
Spider Monkey
LOUIE
Louie came to us when he was several months old from the pet industry.
Louie is extremely social and loves to show off his amazing jumping skills! He is always making sure people are watching him do his tricks and craves applause afterwards. His favorite part about the Sanctuary is being a part of a troop. He loves to wrestle with Maybel and Waylon.
MONKEY SANCTUARY BLOG
Photo by Ed Noles
We understand, first hand, how tight a bond is between a monkey and their caregiver. The respect and understanding of this bond is exactly what motivates us to do the absolute best we can to make a transition as stress free as possible for the monkey and caregiver. We want what is best for these beautiful and loved individuals.
Contact Us
info@GulfCoastPrimateSanctuary.org
Text or Call 1(228)365-6578
The Sanctuary visits are by appointment only for the safety of the Monkeys.
