Archie spent the first fifteen years of his life as a tourist attraction at a hotel on the Montenegrin coast.

Archie’s cage was barely wide enough for him to make two jumps back and forth. The only comfort and joy came from an employee at the hotel who, between shifts, secretly brought him juicy pieces of fruit and spent time with him. To Archie, she was his whole world; to the hotel, he was just part of the scenery.

The conditions in which Archie lived did not go unnoticed. In the 2024 season, a British biologist posted a video on social media showing Archie helplessly pacing in his cage. The video went viral, drawing condemnation from all over the world. Faced with the negative publicity, the hotel management decided to transfer the monkey to a specialized wildlife shelter.

At our shelter, he was greeted by a large open aviary, interwoven with ropes, wooden beams, and live trees. When the transport crate door slid open, Archie froze. Only when he smelled the fresh leaves did he slowly reach out and touch the tree bark—for the first time in fifteen years.

Days passed, and Archie learned to climb—every meter of height a small victory. Although happier in his new environment, he had not forgotten the woman who had been such a big part of his life. A few weeks later, she came to visit him at our shelter. When he saw her, Archie descended and grabbed her sleeve. He did not let go until it was time for her to return home.

Today, Archie spends his mornings on the highest platform in his enclosed reserve, enjoying the morning sun. Every time he sees a van reminiscent of the hotel service, he momentarily freezes, then remembers that now he has treetops instead of a cage. In his embrace of freedom, the memory of one woman—whose love and care helped him survive captivity—still lives on.

Their story continues today, and every visit she makes turns into a touching reunion full of recognition and joy for Archie.