Monkeyland
Monkeyland consists of a 12-hectare forest area where primates of various species have found a safe home after a life in captivity, long journeys and sad backstories. Finally and forever. The forest area consists of natural vegetation and the monkeys can do what they do best there: Be monkeys! That means: romping with other monkeys, jumping around in the treetops, cuddling each other, chasing, catching and of course very important: eating with the family around a richly set table. The animals’ backgrounds are often unclear and many of them have had a long journey. Most of them come from zoos, circuses, laboratories and private homes and often cannot be reintroduced to the wild. Nevertheless, they too deserve a home as close as possible to that of their counterparts in the wild. Monkeyland is now home to around 600 animals. Due to the great need, another sanctuary was opened on South Africa’s east coast in 2019.
Aims
The Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary is a free multi-species primate sanctuary that aims to create awareness and promote a better understanding of the plight of primates.
Target audience
Primates of all species that have previously lived in captivity in laboratories, circuses, zoos, or private homes.
Location
Plettenberg Bay & in the Dolphin Coast region of KwaZulu-Natal.
Programs
The rescue of monkeys from inappropriate living situations as well as their species-appropriate care is the focus of the sanctuary.
In addition, the sanctuary makes an important contribution to environmental education and information about animal and species protection:
Visitors to Monkeyland should gain an understanding of primates and the threats they face both in captivity and in the wild. One of the main goals is to educate the public about the harmful effects of the pet play-and-pay industry and the negative impacts of keeping wild animals as pets. It is also important to educate visitors about the rapid decline of natural habitats due to logging, mining, agriculture and human settlements.
What is the money needed for?
The money is primarily needed for medical care and feeding of the animals.
Other costs, e.g. for the maintenance of the park, staff to care for the monkeys and information for visitors are covered by entrance fees.
What is the problem?
Many animals originate from captivity and cannot be fully reintroduced into the wild. The two parks provide lifelong protection and care for these primates. Monkeyland also allows a variety of species that are already endangered or threatened with extinction to survive.
Support Monkeyland with your donation
How does your donation help?
The care of a monkey in Monkeyland costs about 1,80€ per week. These costs cover the animals’ food, as the forest seasonally does not provide enough food for all the animals. Currently there are about 600 primates living in Monkeyland. For one month this sanctuary needs about 4320€ to feed all the animals.
In MonkeylandKZN another 120 animals have found a safe home. Here 864€ are needed per month for the care of the monkeys.
Further costs e.g. for the maintenance of the park, personnel for the supply of the monkeys and information of visitors are covered by entrance fees.
