Office Monkey Mayhem: Spider Monkey Spotted in Mexico City Boardroom



It started out as a typical Tuesday morning. The sun was barely rising over the skyline of Mexico City, painting golden streaks across the high-rise buildings of Avenida Reforma. In one such building—on the 17th floor of the Torre Azul—employees of Grupo Verdin, a mid-sized tech startup, were gathering for their weekly strategy meeting. What no one could have anticipated was that their most disruptive "guest speaker" would arrive not by elevator, but by window—and would have a tail.

At 8:43 AM, security footage captured an unusual sight: a spider monkey, approximately 60 centimeters tall, cautiously climbing through a partially opened window of the office kitchen. How it managed to scale that height remains under investigation, but what followed next has since gone viral on Mexican social media.

A Scene of Corporate Chaos

"The first thing I heard was the sound of ceramic smashing on the floor," said Natalia Cruz, an administrative assistant who had just poured her morning coffee. "I turned around and saw these black eyes staring back at me… I thought I was hallucinating."

Within seconds, panic spread like wildfire. A few employees bolted out of the room. Others froze. The monkey, however, appeared entirely at ease. According to multiple witnesses, it casually hopped onto the countertop, sniffed a bowl of fruit, and then attempted to open a sealed packet of granola bars.

"He was acting like he belonged there," said IT manager Carlos Mena. "Like he was inspecting the place for an open position."

It wasn't until the monkey leapt onto the conference table—knocking over laptops and scattering documents—that building security intervened. Using makeshift barriers formed from whiteboards and trash bins, they herded the animal into an empty lounge area and sealed the door.

A Closer Look at the Intruder

Authorities from Mexico’s Environmental Protection Agency (PROFEPA) arrived within the hour. They tranquilized the monkey and transported it to a nearby wildlife rehabilitation center. Initial examinations confirmed it was a male Geoffroy's spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi), a species native to southern Mexico and Central America.

But here's where the story deepens: this species is protected under Mexican law, and ownership without proper permits is illegal. Investigators are now trying to determine whether the monkey escaped from an illicit exotic pet owner or wandered in from a remote sanctuary.

Dr. Lucia Rivas, a wildlife ecologist with UNAM, speculated: "It’s unlikely this animal traveled from a jungle environment on its own. He appeared well-fed and unafraid of humans—classic signs of captivity."

In recent years, illegal exotic pet trade has become a growing problem in urban Mexico. Authorities often struggle to track owners, as many animals are bought and sold through informal social media channels.

Reactions Across the City

News outlets quickly caught wind of the incident, and soon after, hashtags like #MonkeyMeeting and #SimioStartup were trending on X (formerly Twitter). Memes flooded the internet. One image showed the monkey in a tie with the caption: "When your new hire is a little too agile."

Meanwhile, Grupo Verdin used the opportunity for some cheeky PR. In a company-wide email, CEO Tomas Aguilar wrote:

"While we’re all for diversity in the workplace, we kindly remind all staff not to bring wildlife to meetings."

But behind the humor lies a serious question: how vulnerable are urban spaces to unexpected encounters with wildlife, especially in sprawling metropolises where nature and development are in constant collision?

A Broader Ecological Wake-Up Call

Mexico City has a complex relationship with wildlife. Built on what was once a lake-rich ecosystem, it is now surrounded by fragmented forests and nature reserves. As green spaces dwindle and climate conditions change, animals—especially displaced or trafficked ones—sometimes appear in the most unexpected places.

“This case highlights both the resilience of animals and the consequences of human encroachment and illegal trade,” said Dr. Rivas.

In 2024 alone, PROFEPA recorded over 3,000 cases of illegally kept exotic animals in domestic settings, with spider monkeys among the most commonly seized primates.

Where Is the Monkey Now?

As of this afternoon, the spider monkey—now affectionately named "Pancho" by shelter staff—is recovering in a wildlife facility on the city's outskirts. He’s expected to be transferred to a protected sanctuary once authorities confirm he is healthy and able to reintegrate with other monkeys.

Meanwhile, Grupo Verdin has installed reinforced screens on all windows and added a curious new clause to their employee manual:

"In case of unexpected wildlife entry, please do not engage the animal. Notify HR and security immediately."

Final Thoughts

What began as a surreal interruption to a tech company’s weekly meeting has evolved into a national conversation about conservation, urban safety, and the strange moments when the wild world literally climbs into our own.

Whether Pancho the monkey was a rogue explorer or an accidental escapee, his brief visit to a Mexico City office has left a lasting impact—and a few startled employees who will likely never look at their break room the same way again.