Twelves

This article is about the pet monkey. For the Brazilian musical duo, see The Twelves.

Twelves (December 12, 2012 – March 20, 2018) was the pet monkey of Brazilian singer Latino. He was given to Latino by the singer's manager in 2014, as a wedding gift. A robust capuchin monkey, Twelves was raised like a human baby and often accompanied Latino to shows, TV programs and photo shoots. Twelves had his own Instagram account with more than 100 thousand followers.

Twelves

Twelves in 2014
Species	Robust capuchin monkey
Sex	Male
Born	(2012-12-12)December 12, 2012 Xanxerê, Santa Catarina, Brazil
Died	March 20, 2018(2018-03-20) (aged 5) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Cause of death	Traffic collision
Nation from	Brazil
Occupation	Pet
Owner	Latino

In 2016, the monkey was the subject of controversy after Latino posted a photo which appeared to show Twelves smoking a hookah. Latino received criticism for posting the image, and the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) released a statement saying that the singer would be held responsible for the post. The following year, Twelves disappeared for a day, and a search party was formed to find him. Twelves died in 2018 after he went missing and was hit by a vehicle. His body was cremated, and his ashes were turned into a synthetic diamond.

Biography

Early life (2012–2015)

The robust capuchin monkey Twelves was born on December 12, 2012,^[1] in Xanxerê, Santa Catarina.^[2] He came from a shelter in Rio Grande do Sul, the only one certified by the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA), and was trained by André Poloni, known as the greatest trainer of wild animals in the country.^[3] In February 2014, the singer was given a monkey as a wedding present by a businessman who worked with Latino when the singer married Rayanne Morais [pt].^[3]

[Businessman who worked with Latino] asked me, "what do you want as a present?". I said, "a monkey". He then looked at me strangely. Rayanne at the time didn't want a child, and I already have plenty of children. So, I said the animal would end up distracting us. However, he thought the price of a monkey was low, not knowing that one could cost around 120,000 to 150,000 Brazilian reais.

— Latino (October 2017)^[4]

The name Twelves was a tribute to the singer's fascination with the number 12 and also because Twelves was born on "12/12/12".^[1] The couple had all the necessary IBAMA documentation, which regulates the licenses for the ownership of wild animals, and Twelves had a pet microchip which allowed officials to use a microchip reader to view the entire history of the monkey and its owner.^[3]

In June 2014, Latino posted a photo of himself giving Twelves a French kiss. The act was criticized by Internet users, who labeled it as disgusting.^[5][6] In November, Twelves participated in a photo shoot for one of Latino's albums.^[7] For Twelves's birthday the following month, a "super party" was hosted. The event was broadcast live on television and featured celebrity guests, including other monkeys.^[8] On July 14, 2015, Latino and Morais separated, leaving the animal to be in custody of the singer—the documents were registered under his name. However, he allowed Morais to visit Twelves whenever she wanted.^[9]

Controversy and disappearance (2016–2017)

 

Image that caused controversy

On March 17, 2016, Latino posted a photo showing Twelves on his shoulder, while Latino placed a hookah mouthpiece to the monkey's mouth. The translated caption read: "Even Twelves wants to take a gangster-style photo". This caused controversy, with many of Latino's followers condemning his behavior and calling the singer irresponsible. The post was deleted after the negative reaction, but the criticism continued.^[10] TV presenter Luisa Mell, a strong defender of animal rights, disapproved of the post and said that Latino "had no idea about the importance of these animals in nature" and that Ibama was "encouraging animal trafficking, compromising Brazilian biodiversity, endangering the health of animals and even contributing to the decimation of several species and their ecosystems".^[11] The next day, Latino criticized the media's coverage of the issue in a statement, and claimed that the image was a montage: "Is there a lack of subject matter? That's why our Brazil is not moving forward! If I were the press, I would be ashamed to publish a note like this [...] How much hypocrisy in a photo that I clearly stated was a gangster-style montage. This statement is for my audience, who I owe an explanation to, not for the sellers of fake news. I'm tired of this."^[12]

On March 26, IBAMA declared that Latino would be held responsible for the case: "The authorization for the possession of wild animals does not allow for this type of treatment, therefore the singer Latino will be held accountable for this fact." Latino responded and contested the decision:^[13][14]

I want to see IBAMA have the guts to take the monkey away from me. It's not easy to take it from me. They just want to show off with this. There's nothing wrong with it. I was smoking the hookah, and he stopped to smell it, and the girl took the photo. When she took the photo, I asked her to post it because it was a funny moment, a show-off photo. But people like to take advantage of situations. There are so many things for IBAMA to investigate, so many things wrong on the planet, so much injustice.

On July 8, 2017, Latino posted a video, crying, stating that after returning from the United States and leaving Twelves at his home, the monkey suddenly disappeared. The singer claimed that, although the animal often went out for a walk, he usually came back shortly after.^[2][15][16] A large search force was formed to find the animal; at least 80 people participated in the search.^[17] After searching through woods, streams, and more than 30 condominiums in the Barra da Tijuca area, the monkey was found in a residence near the Jacarepaguá Airport the next day.^[18]

Death

On March 20, 2018, Twelves escaped from home, was hit by a vehicle, and died in Rio de Janeiro. Latino's agent stated that the singer was "very sad, inconsolable and does not want to talk to anyone". After hearing the news Latino postponed the recording of a music video.^[19][20] On his social media, he posted (translated): "Today is the unhappiest day of my life. Pray for me! I feel lost".^[21][22] The animal was cremated the next day at the Pet's Garden animal cemetery and crematorium.^[20] With its ashes, a diamond was made.^[23]

I am very emotional. I have just received the ashes of my monkey Twelves in the form of a beautiful diamond. Now he will be with me forever as a lucky charm. May the animal angels in heaven be with you. I miss you so much.

In April 2018, the singer received a female monkey named Ana Paula as a present, but made it clear that she would not replace Twelves.^[24] Ana Paula died on November 24, 2022.^[25] In 2021, the Secretary of Citizenship of the municipality of Rio de Janeiro filed a criminal report against Latino for religious intolerance, after he stated in an interview that the monkey's death was caused by "macumba", a pejorative term that refers to Afro-Brazilian religions.^[26]

Treatment and personality

 

Twelves eating baby food

We are very attached to him, we treat him like a son. It's even good because it allows us to postpone our plans of becoming parents a little longer.

— Rayanne Morais (July 2014)^[3]

Twelves was treated similarly to a human baby. Following a feeding routine of every three hours, the animal consumed a bottle of milk made with infant formula for breakfast,^[3] and later started eating banana porridge and, occasionally, pudding.^[17] For lunch and dinner, Twelves ate baby food, such as those found in pharmacies and supermarkets. At other times, he ate various fruits and peanuts.^[3] Twelves always wore diapers, as he did not stay in a cage^[3]—he slept in a double box bed with various toys.^[17] The accessories were stored in a Louis Vuitton bag, along with stuffed animals and clothes, including a jumpsuit and a wool coat with a scarf.^[3] Latino also hired a private nanny for the animal.^[17] Described as a "restless and noisy" creature and an "enlightened animal" for his dangerous behavior,^[4] he often went out for walks.^[2] Latino stated that he would like to acquire another monkey to keep Twelves company, but was prevented by legal issues, as he could only keep Twelves after proving that he had access to a tree where the animal lived and other matters related to the animal's care.^[27] The monthly costs to take care of Twelves, which was around one thousand Brazilian reais, generated controversy, since, at the time, he was not paying a pension for one of his children.^[7]

Twelves often accompanied the artist to shows and television programs, including Mais Você [pt]^[1] and Programa do Jô,^[28] and participated in photo shoots for magazines and websites.^[8] Twelves became popular on the Internet. His Instagram account, created in May 2014,^[29] gained four thousand followers in just one month.^[3] By July 2015, it had 18 thousand followers;^[8] two years later, it had 50 thousand,^[2] and reached a hundred thousand in October 2017.^[4] After Twelves' death in March 2018, his account had 130 thousand followers.^[20]

See also

• List of individual monkeys
• Macaco Tião
• Tião (dolphin)

References

1. "Festa na Casa de Cristal! Latino canta sucessos e mostra o macaco Twelves". Mais Você [pt] (in Portuguese). June 27, 2014. from the original on November 30, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
2. Jordão, Fernando (July 8, 2017). "Macaco de Latino desaparece e cantor, aos prantos, faz apelo por ajuda". Correio Braziliense (in Portuguese). from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
3. Guterres, Juliana (July 3, 2014). "Rayanne Morais mostra o dia a dia do mico Twelves, seu 'filho' com Latino". EGO [pt] (in Portuguese). from the original on January 29, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
4. Aguiar, Aurora (October 30, 2017). "Macaco popstar de Latino conquista 100 mil seguidores no Instagram". R7 [pt] (in Portuguese). from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
5. "Latino posta foto beijando macaco na boca e revolta internautas". Revista CARAS (in Portuguese). June 26, 2014. from the original on December 25, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
6. "Latino ganha beijo de língua de seu macaco e é criticado por fãs". OFuxico (in Portuguese). June 27, 2014. from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
7. Pessoa, Daniela (February 25, 2017). "Latino faz ensaio fotográfico com seu macaco Twelves, sempre polêmico". VEJA RIO (in Portuguese). from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
8. "Latino se divorcia, mas fica com a 'guarda' do macaco". VEJA (in Portuguese). July 15, 2015. from the original on January 29, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
9. Andrade, Naiara (July 21, 2015). "Uma semana após a separação, Latino diz que Rayanne está livre para ver o macaco Twelves quando quiser". EXTRA (in Portuguese). from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
10. "Latino é criticado por foto com macaco de estimação fumando". VEJA (in Portuguese). April 18, 2016. from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
11. Almeida, Mateus (April 25, 2016). "Luisa Mell critica Latino após polêmica de foto com macaco Twelves fumando". EGO [pt] (in Portuguese). from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
12. Dezan, Anderson (April 18, 2016). "Latino rebate polêmica de foto com macaco Twelves fumando". EGO [pt] (in Portuguese). from the original on May 22, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
13. Almeida, Mateus (April 26, 2016). "Ibama vai responsabilizar Latino por foto do macaco Twelves fumando". EGO [pt] (in Portuguese). from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
14. Falcheti, Fabrício (April 26, 2016). "Ibama diz que irá responsabilizar Latino por foto do macaco Twelves "fumando"". NaTelinha (in Portuguese). from the original on January 29, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
15. "Cantor Latino chora e pede ajuda para encontrar seu macaco". VEJA (in Portuguese). July 9, 2017. from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
16. "Latino chora em vídeo e faz apelo depois do desaparecimento do macaco Twelves". EXTRA (in Portuguese). July 8, 2017. from the original on November 1, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
17. "Pudim no café e babá particular: os luxos de Twelves, o macaco do cantor Latino". EXTRA (in Portuguese). July 20, 2017. from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
18. "Latino encontra seu macaco de estimação Twelves". EXTRA (in Portuguese). July 9, 2017. from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
19. "Twelves, macaco de Latino, morre após ser atropelado". G1 (in Portuguese). March 20, 2018. from the original on April 8, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
20. Pinheiro, Felipe (March 21, 2018). "Latino paga serviço de cremação para macaco Twelves; saiba detalhes". UOL Splash (in Portuguese). from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
21. Juliotti, Camila (March 20, 2018). "Morre Twelves, macaco de estimação de Latino". R7 [pt] (in Portuguese). from the original on December 1, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
22. "Twelves, macaco de Latino, morre atropelado; cantor está arrasado". EXTRA (in Portuguese). March 20, 2018. from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
23. "Latino mostra diamante que fez com cinzas de seu macaco Twelves". Estadão (in Portuguese). August 28, 2018. from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
24. Pereira, Jonathan (October 23, 2018). "Latino fala de macaca de estimação: "Nunca vai substituir o Twelves"". UOL Splash (in Portuguese). from the original on January 29, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
25. Araujo, Raphael (November 26, 2022). "Morre Ana Paula, famosa macaca de estimação do cantor Latino". OFuxico (in Portuguese). from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
26. "Latino é alvo de notícia-crime após culpar macumba pela morte de seu macaco". EXTRA (in Portuguese). April 21, 2021. from the original on January 29, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
27. Nunes, Aline (December 27, 2016). "Latino lamenta não poder dar 'irmão' ao macaco Twelves". gshow (in Portuguese). from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
28. ""Talvez eu vá querer comprar um", diz Jô encantado pelo macaco de Latino". UOL Splash (in Portuguese). May 28, 2015. from the original on July 27, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
29. Giovanelli, Carolina (June 10, 2014). "Os melhores momentos de Twelves, macaco de Latino". VEJA SÃO PAULO (in Portuguese). from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.