Wild Futures’ Monkey Sanctuary faces uncertainty due to pandemic risk to primates

Internationally renowned primate welfare and conservation charity Wild Futures, runs The Monkey Sanctuary based in Looe Cornwall. The sanctuary is home to 40 monkeys rescued from situations of abuse and neglect from the UK primate pet trade.

Covid-19 is causing devastation all across the world, and like many others, Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary is struggling as a result of this pandemic and is facing one of their toughest years to date.

Sarah Hanson, Support Relations Manager at Wild Futures states: “During the summer months, we normally open our doors to visitors to generate crucial income that helps us care for the monkeys throughout the year, and not being able to do this will have a huge financial impact on our charity.  The lack of income from visitors, plus other funding sources having to be paused until further notice, or stopped altogether means we are facing troubling times.  Our main priority is to make sure that the monkeys have food, the medicines they need, along with continued care.”

Monkeys are at risk of contracting Covid-19, so Wild Futures is putting every precaution in place to protect the monkeys and the staff that care for them. A number of the team are living on-site to isolate there and continue caring for the monkeys.

Rachel Hevesi, Director of Wild Futures, states: “Even before the Government lockdown was announced we were not opening our doors to visitors and were isolating due to the monkeys being vulnerable to the virus. Our visitor income is a crucial form of funding for our charity and to continue the care of the monkeys. Sadly we are looking at not being able to open our doors to visitors at all this year which is going to have huge financial ramifications on the charity”

Sarah Hanson further states: “We know how difficult this situation is for everybody but we are appealing for emergency help to get us through this uncertain time. If you can, please make a donation to our emergency appeal today. Even a regular commitment of £10 per month would help enormously. Share this appeal with your friends and family. Every action, every penny counts. Despite the challenges, we will continue caring for the rescued monkeys in our care and continue with our charity work to the best of our ability. The kindness that people are showing in this worldwide crisis is overwhelming. Together we are stronger and we hope that with support we will come through this. No matter how small, your contribution will help us to continue caring for the rescued monkeys here. Please donate today www.wildfutures.org/donate and follow us on Facebook for updates.”