Following the passing of fellow woolly monkey, Pablo, Lily has been living by herself and we have been working tirelessly to secure a solution for her to get the company she needs.
During this time, we have explored many options for her, with the goal of improving her welfare as our highest priority. As is typical for her species, Lily is a social monkey, and so living with other woolly monkeys is the best result for her, and was, thus, our ultimate objective.
Our research focused on three possibilities: other woolly monkeys moving to live at The Monkey Sanctuary, Lily cohabiting with another species of primate, or relocating Lily to somewhere that could offer her that crucial social dynamic whilst maintaining the level of expert care that she deserves. We examined each of these available options meticulously to ensure that we chose the best solution for her specific needs.
In the meantime, the team has been helping Lily in situ. We have been moving her around the territory so that she can regularly explore a variety of different enclosures to ensure a complex and varied physical environment. This also meant that she had periods living alongside the capuchins, or next door to the macaques, all of which she has immensely enjoyed. We have also been ensuring that Lily has lots of engaging things to do and see, from crafting new and exciting enrichment for her to tackle, to doing jobs around her enclosures so that she is around her familiar carers regularly. While all of these efforts have contributed to improving her welfare in small ways, they are not a replacement for the social element that she desperately and fundamentally needs.
It is in light of this that we are pleased to be able to share with you all that Lily will be leaving The Monkey Sanctuary to join an established group of woolly monkeys at Monkey World in Dorset. Like Wild Futures, Monkey World has a long and illustrious history of caring for woolly monkeys, and we know that they will continue providing Lily with high levels of care. We are extremely grateful to them for providing a home for Lily, especially one with both expertise and values that align with our own.
Although this is emotionally difficult for all of us who have known, cared for, and supported Lily, this is an incredible opportunity for her. We hope you are as excited for her as we are for her to start a new chapter.
Thank you for your understanding.
