When a rhesus macaque named Nanette gave birth to her daughter, Gabby, they were living in a biomedical research laboratory.

In the wild, the daughter macaques typically stay with their mothers their entire lives, but in the laboratory setting it is common practice for baby macaques to be taken away from their moms soon after birth and raised by people to become research subjects.

But something exceptional happened for Nanette and Gabby: They were given a chance to live out their lives together at our sanctuary in Texas, Black Beauty Ranch.

In this new video about this special pair, you can get an inside look at their enduring bond from the perspective of their caregiver, Rebecca Woodward. She is just one of the people who has been watching over Nanette and Gabby, who have spent over two decades at our sanctuary.

Nanette and Gabby retired from the research facility together in 1997, which at that time, was very uncommon for macaques. Their story is a shining example of how Black Beauty Ranch is the living embodiment of our work to protect all animals.

Founded in 1979 by author and animal advocate Cleveland Amory, Black Beauty Ranch is home to domestic and exotic animals saved from crisis situations. Many of these animals were rescued from slaughterhouses, research laboratories and trophy hunting ranches. Others arrived at the sanctuary from roadside zoos or were victims of the exotic pet trade. From bison and cattle to horses and burros, antelope and apes to reptiles and tigers, all these individuals have permanent, safe homes on the ranch’s 1,400+ acres.

As many families across the U.S. prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, I’ve been reflecting on what a beautiful story Nanette and Gabby have. I am so deeply thankful that for the services our Black Beauty Ranch provides, creating homes for more than 800 animals, who would otherwise have nowhere to go.

You can help support Black Beauty Ranch by sending the sanctuary something from its wish list.

Follow Kitty Block on Twitter @HSUSKittyBlock.

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