The Monkey Sanctuary says goodbye to Pepper the monkey and appeals for help
28 November 2012
The Monkey Sanctuary says goodbye to Pepper the monkey and appeals for help
The Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary team was heartbroken at the weekend following the death of Pepper, the 10 month old capuchin. Pepper fell ill on Thursday last week, the same day that The Monkey Sanctuary was hit by severe flooding causing significant damage to its education room and public toilet block.
Pepper was rushed to the vets after he stopped breathing. Despite Sanctuary staff’s best efforts in getting him resuscitated, quick treatment and keepers caring for him all through the night, his illness was too much to fight and he sadly passed away.
Tests are now being carried out to try and ascertain the root cause of his death. Although some of his symptoms possibly indicated tetanus, it is not yet certain. It is hoped that results will give some indication over the next week.
Wild Futures’ Director and Head of the Sanctuary,Rachel Hevesi stated: “It is important that the Sanctuary finds out what Pepper died from in order to safeguard the other monkeys and to learn in case we can add to knowledge for all capuchin welfare.”
Pepper came to The Monkey Sanctuary in March 2012, along with a group of 7 other capuchins. The group originally came from a zoo that closed down in the South East of England; however Pepper was born at an interim location in the north, an animal care college on 25th January 2012. He received his name in a naming competition on radio station Heart when he was 5 months old.
When the family group first arrived at the Sanctuary, Pepper was still completely dependent on his mother Betty and was constantly carried around on her belly. This was getting more and more difficult for Betty, as climbing around on three legs while supporting the baby with one hand was no easy task – and Pepper was growing well and becoming heavier by the day. Betty finally let Pepper down during the summer and keepers were able to determine that Pepper was a male. Luckily the name Pepper was suited to either a male or female.
Macer Parton, Keeper at The Monkey Sanctuary stated: “He was a lovely little capuchin, very inquisitive. It was great to watch him being given the freedom to explore, once mum grew in confidence in her surroundings. We all became quite fond of the little fellow and he will be sorely missed.”
Pepper had a number of adopters who will be written to individually this week. The Sanctuary will also be holding a remembrance event for Pepper on Sunday 9th December 2012 on its Christmas open day where both visitors and adopters are welcome to join staff at this event.
As well as coping with this loss, the staff are still dealing with the after affects of the storm. As well as losing computers, education resources, a large collection of primate books and other items in its flooded office, the storm also put the monkeys at risk, by uprooting one of the largest trees onsite. The tree threatened to fall onto one of the monkey enclosures and the team had to perform an emergency evacuation to move the monkeys to safety in another part of the territory.
As a result, two trees had to be cut down, deemed too dangerous to remain so close to the enclosures. Keeper Macer stated: “We had no choice but to go ahead and get the trees cut down, despite the extra costs involved; we simply cannot risk the safety of our monkeys.”
The devastating events over the past week, coupled with the poor weather throughout the year have left Wild Futures with a financial gap to fill. The charity has seen a steady decline in visitor numbers since the recession hit. With an exceptionally wet summer this year, the wettest for 100 years, visitor numbers were down by 5,000, which equates to income in the region of £60,000. A full assessment of the damage caused by the storms has still yet to be totalled up, and the tree removal costs and veterinary bills are expected to be high. All of this will add to the gap left to fill and so the charity has launched an appeal for help.
As the only accredited sanctuary in Europe, Wild Futures’ work is more vital than ever. The charity has experienced an increase in requests for monkey rescues this year and is running out of space to house any more monkeys. Nearly all rescued monkeys display physical or psychological damage linked to poor or inadequate conditions as pets and can take years to rehabilitate. The charity’s campaign on the primate pet trade is essential in reducing the suffering observed and its overseas support must continue, with the shocking statistic of 48% of all primates facing extinction.
Wild Futures’ Head of Income Generation, Hayley Dann states: “We are extremely grateful to everyone who has stepped forward and made a donation over the past few days – it’s really touching to know that people feel so strongly about the work we do for the monkeys and their support has really helped lift the team’s spirits at this difficult time. Our charity has reached a critical time and we really need more people to get involved and help raise vital funds. All donations will help no matter how large or small. A donation of £5 can pay for a box of apples for the monkeys to enjoy or a donation of £500 can pay towards veterinary costs. Every bit helps.”
There are many ways that people can get involved either by donating as an individual, or holding an event in their local community. Donations can be made by texting SANC22 to 70070 or donating through the website www.wildfutures.org. To receive a fundraising pack which includes advice and tips on organising an event, collection tin, template posters and stickers, contact the fundraising team by emailing fundraising@wildfutures.org or telephone 0844 272 1271.