7 min read
I’ve put together some of the most famous monkeys in history, from space exploration to horrific experimentation.
XING XING
Xing Xing thrived in China’s Daliang Mountains despite losing an arm likely to poachers. She later went viral. Millions have viewed photos of this resilient Tibetan macaque caring for her baby with just one arm.
JACK THE SIGNALMAN
This chacma baboon operated South African railway signals for nine years without a single error. The Cape Government Railway employed Jack and paid him 20 cents daily plus a half-bottle of beer weekly.
SUN WUKONG
Immortal and capable of 72 transformations, Sun Wukong from “Journey to the West” has inspired countless adaptations. This 16th-century fictional Chinese Monkey King laid the foundation for modern adaptations like Dragon Ball’s Goku.
BRITCHES
Rescued by activists after having his eyes sewn shut for a blindness study, Britches became used as a symbol for animal rights activists. This stump-tailed macaque’s case triggered the experiment’s shutdown and improved animal testing regulations.
MISS BAKER
After surviving her groundbreaking 1959 spaceflight, Miss Baker lived another 25 years as a celebrated space pioneer. This Peruvian squirrel monkey received over 100 marriage proposals from admirers. Today, visitors leave bananas at her grave.
KALUA
Raised on alcohol by an occultist, Kalua the monkey attacked 250 people in an Indian town after his owner’s death. This rhesus macaque remains in solitary confinement after failing rehabilitation.
MAGGIE THE MONKEY
Sports fans were flabbergasted when Maggie correctly predicted 12 out of 15 NHL playoff matchups in 2012. This crab-eating macaque selected winners by choosing food-labeled team magnets, outperforming many human sports analysts.
ALBERT II
The first primate to reach space died upon impact when his parachute failed on June 14, 1949. But Albert II’s sacrifice was not in vain. He gave crucial biological data that later enabled human spaceflight.
CORPORAL JACKIE
Serving with South African troops during WWI, Jackie received a medal after losing a leg during combat. This military baboon alerted soldiers to enemy ambushes and was taught to light cigarettes for his comrades.
CRYSTAL
Hollywood’s number one monkey actress, Crystal, has appeared in “The Hangover Part II,” the “Night at the Museum” series, and as “Annie’s Boobs” in “Community.” This capuchin’s extensive filmography makes her one of entertainment’s most successful animal performers.
ANDI
Created with jellyfish genes at Oregon Health & Science University, ANDi became the first genetically modified primate. His name cleverly spells “inserted DNA” backward.
ABLE
Reaching 360 miles above Earth alongside Miss Baker in 1959, Able floated through space for nine minutes during their historic mission. Tragically, Able died just four days after returning due to anesthesia complications.
THE HARTLEPOOL MONKEY
Mistaken for a French spy during the Napoleonic Wars, this shipwrecked monkey was tried and hanged by English townspeople. The bizarre incident later inspired Hartlepool United’s mascot and led to a man in a monkey costume being elected mayor.
JACCO MACACCO
Crowds flocked to London’s Westminster Pit in the 1820s to watch Jacco defeat 14 dogs in brutal fighting matches. There are rumors that the famous fighting monkey’s owner drugged opponent dogs to rig bets.
DARWIN
Found wandering an Ikea store in a stylish shearling coat, Darwin the monkey became an internet sensation overnight. The “Ikea Monkey” triggered a lengthy custody battle after being sent to a sanctuary, which his owner lost.
HANUMAN
Revered for his supernatural strength and unwavering loyalty to Lord Rama, Hanuman plays a crucial role in the Hindu epic Ramayana. This monkey deity’s legendary leap across the ocean symbolizes overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges.
GORDO
Launched into space in 1958 aboard Jupiter AM-13, Gordo was lost after a technical failure ended the mission. Also known as “Old Reliable,” this squirrel monkey’s journey provided valuable data for future NASA missions.
CURIOUS GEORGE
Created by H.A. Rey and Margret Rey in 1941, Curious George’s mischievous adventures have entertained kids for generations. The Reys’ escape from Nazi-occupied Paris with the original manuscripts adds a remarkable historical backdrop to this beloved monkey character.
RAMU
Arrested for disturbing communal harmony, Ramu spent 5 years behind bars in an Indian jail. This monkey’s attack on children sparked riots in Jagannathpur village, leading to his incarceration.
ABU
As Aladdin’s clever sidekick in Disney’s 1992 classic, Abu stole hearts and countless objects throughout the film. This animated capuchin’s expressive personality redefined the archetype of animal companions in animated adventures.
MISS SAM
Launched on Little Joe 1B in 1960, Miss Sam participated in critical tests of NASA’s Mercury escape system. This rhesus macaque safely returned to Earth. He helped to build protocols that would later protect human astronauts.
FRED
Known for stealing food throughout his territory, Fred was controversially euthanized in 2011 after turning aggressive. This monkey’s case sparked public debate about the ethics of wildlife management and human-animal conflict.
LOON
Diagnosed with diabetes at the San Diego Zoo, Loon was trained to accept regular blood draws and insulin injections. This monkey demonstrated how medical training can enhance care for animals with chronic health conditions.
TETRA
Created through embryo splitting at the Oregon National Primate Research Center, Tetra became the first cloned primate. Her birth in 2000 raised both scientific excitement and ethical concerns about reproductive technology.
TWELVES
Owned by Brazilian singer Latino, Twelves gained notoriety when photos emerged of the pet monkey appearing to smoke. Named for his birth date (December 12, 2012), his controversial lifestyle sparked animal welfare concerns before he died in 2018.
