The Monkey Sanctuary Achieves Wildlife Friendly Business Award

The Monkey Sanctuary, flagship project of the Looe based charity Wild Futures, last night was awarded the bronze tourism award for ‘Wildlife Friendly Business’ in recognition for its outstanding work for local wildlife. The charity, who were judged against two other finalists, proudly accepted the ‘bronze’ award at last night’s prestigious Cornwall Tourism Awards ceremony.

The annual Cornwall Tourism Awards, hosted by Visit Cornwall, shine the spotlight on what makes Cornwall such a successful place to visit and celebrate the industry’s passion for excellence. Now in their eleventh year, the awards have become a recognised barometer for quality and recognise the valuable contribution which both businesses and individuals within them can make. The sixteen award categories touch all sectors of the industry covering everything from Large Visitor Attraction of the Year to Outstanding Customer Service Award. The Wildlife Friendly Business award was new to the list of awards this year.

Malcolm Bell, Head of Visit Cornwall, the Cornwall Development tourism service, commented: “No stranger to award charts itself, Cornwall is a winning visitor destination so to be recognised in the Cornwall Tourism Awards and named among the best of the best is an incredible achievement. The level of passion and commitment to quality has been astounding, even more so in what has been a difficult year.”

As well as learning about the rescued monkeys at The Monkey Sanctuary, visitors can get involved in wildlife activities such as bug box making, get interactive in the ‘Wildlife Room’, watch bats via a live link to a roost in the cellar of the old house and explore the extensive wildlife gardens, home to more than 385 different wildlife species including, badgers, lizards, foxes, deer, the lesser horseshoe bat and the rare Pearl bordered fritillary butterfly.

Primate Keeper and Education Officer for Wild Futures, Claire Turnbull stated: “As a local charity which cares for wildlife and works to protect local habitats, we are extremely proud to have achieved this award. Not only is it recognition for what we can offer for the valued tourists who visit us each year, but it also shows that we are fulfilling our goals as a charity”.