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Darwin the Ikea Money to remain at Ontario primate sanctuary, judge rules

Yasmin Nakhuda says she was tricked into giving up monkey

The question of whether Darwin the Ikea Monkey would remain in an Ontario animal sanctuary or be returned to its previous owners was answered today when a judge decided the exotic pet should not be returned to its former owner.

Although even if "surrogate mother" Yasmin Nakhuda had been successful in her bid to regain ownership of Darwin, expected changes to Ontario's pet ownership laws could have made that win a short one.

Darwin, the rapscallion monkey who became an internet phenom after running amok at a Toronto Ikea last year, learned on Friday that it will remain at the Ontario animal sanctuary where he currently resides.

More accurately, the macaque's "human mother" Yasmin Nakhuda will learn his fate. Because Darwin, as a monkey, is likely too focused on being a monkey to comprehend exactly what was at stake.

CBC News reports a judge has ruled against returning it to the family who raised him, fed him and dressed him in darling costumes before he got free outside the furniture store and made international headlines.

[ Related: Ikea monkey custody decision expected today ]

Here is how Darwin's two possible fates stacked up.

Story Brook Farm Primate Sanctuary

The sanctuary in Sunderland, Ont., is a permanent monkey residence who cares for animals that are often abused and mistreated. It is currently home to 23 monkeys who "come to us for peace and solace from a variety of backgrounds, some of them with stories difficult even to share, let alone survive."

Consider it a sleep away camp for primates, with play structures and space to roam. The animals play together, socialize and are fed and handled according to their specific situation.

And there is even a painting program. Currently, several pieces of, er, art created by a capuchin monkey in the farm's care are available in exchange for donations.

So check that out.

On Darwin, the sanctuary says monkeys do not make good pets and the isolation of living with humans stunts development and makes them aggressive.

[ More Brew: Canadian vets endure a final snub from Ottawa ]

Mother Yasmin Nakhuda

The Toronto real estate lawyer calls herself Darwin's "surrogate mother" and says the monkey needs her "like a child needs a mother."

Before Darwin was taken from her in December, Nakhuda said she cared for him endlessly, changing its diaper several times a day, feeding it with a bottle and playing with it whenever possible.

Several videos uploaded onto YouTube show the monkey brushing its teeth while perched on Nakhuda's shoulder, playing in her office and dressed in Halloween costumes.

Nakhuda has two children, who can be seen playing with the monkey in the videos.

She said that if Darwin was returned to her family, they would have moved outside of Toronto, where monkey ownership is not against the rules.

However, the Ontario government recently announced that it would look at changing rules surrounding exotic animal ownership. While currently bylaws are left up to individual municipalities, the Liberal government is considering bring the decision to the provincial level after an exotic python killed two children in Nova Scotia.

The potentially impending bylaw change would have threatened to make Nakhuda's victory, had she secured one, short lived.

It isn't clear whether the judge took that into account in Friday's ruling.

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