Our Sanctuary Shattered by Storms
Wild Futures’ Monkey Sanctuary was hit by storms last night shattering monkey enclosure fencing and causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
A large beech tree came crashing down onto one of the woolly monkeys’ enclosures at approximately 6pm. Luckily keepers were able to react quickly and monkeys were moved to safe areas away from the damaged territory.
The Monkey Sanctuary is currently home to 37 monkeys which are divided into groups. Each group has a number of indoor and outdoor enclosures. The Monkey Sanctuary is internationally recognised for its enclosure design and space. Indoor enclosures are heated to 18 degrees Celsius throughout the year similar to the climes monkeys would be used to in the wild.
Claire Turnbull, Senior Keeper at Wild Futures’ Monkey Sanctuary recounts the evening’s events: “Just before the monkeys were given their last feed and their lights turned out for the night, the winds turned to gale force and we heard a faint crunching sound. We went outside to check for tree damage and discovered that one of the huge 150 year old Beech trees in the large open-topped enclosure had fallen, crashing down and destroying a large section of the enclosure fence. It was very scary but the team jumped to action immediately to ensure that all monkeys were moved to safe areas of the territory.”
The particular enclosure that was hit is a vital part of the woolly monkeys’ territory as it provides them with a large open space in which to climb, exercise and forage. The keeper team are therefore desperate to get the enclosure rebuilt; however initial estimates are in the thousands, due to the large specialist panels and the foundation work required.
Claire added: “At the same time, through the night there were constant power cuts which meant that the heating and lighting in the monkeys’ indoor rooms and huts was failing, so extra blankets were handed out to make sure they all stayed warm throughout the night and generators were on standby. It was an all night operation.”
Wild Futures, the charity which runs The Monkey Sanctuary is today appealing for donations to help Sanctuary staff rebuild and repair the damage. The Monkey Sanctuary is due to open to the public for February half term and so work needs to be completed quickly.
In the meantime, Keepers will be working hard to ensure that the monkeys remain calm and busy with minimal amounts of stress.
Hayley Dann, a member of the management team stated: “So many people have been affected by the latest storms and weather – it is just relentless. We know that many of our neighbours in Looe have been hit and it’s very upsetting to see the damage and distress caused. We are concerned about what is yet to come, particularly over the weekend. We sincerely hope that the worst has passed and that with the public’s support we can start to rebuild our monkey territory and get our Sanctuary back to normal again.”
Donations to Wild Futures’ Storm Appeal can be made online at https://www.wildfutures.org/storm-appeal/, over the phone at 0844 272 1271 or sent to Wild Futures Storm Appeal, Murrayton House, St Martin, Looe, Cornwall, PL13 1NZ.
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Notes to Editors:
Release date: 5 February 2014
More information and photos can be found at: https://www.wildfutures.org/storm-appeal/
Hear our Keeper, Paul’s account of the night: An account of the night by Paul Reynolds, Keeper.
About Wild Futures
Wild Futures (Charity reg. No. 1102532) is an educational and environmental charity promoting the welfare and conservation of primates, and working to end the abuse of primates in captivity. Its flagship project, The Monkey Sanctuary, in Cornwall, is home to victims of the primate pet trade. The Monkey Sanctuary is the only sanctuary in Europe accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) and is a founder member of EARS (European Alliance of Rescue Centres and Sanctuaries). Drawing on 50 years of primate expertise, Wild Futures acts as an advisory body to sanctuaries and conservation organisations in the UK and overseas and advises DEFRA on UK animal welfare legislation.
For more information contact:
Hayley Dann, Head of Income Generation and PR
T: 0844 272 1271