What is Monkeyland?

Monkeyland is the world's first free-roaming, multi-species primate sanctuary and it has been up and running since 1998. Our aims are to provide non-human primates with a healthier, more natural life and to raise public awareness about primates. Around 400 apes, monkeys and lemurs live in the 12 hectare Monkeyland forest. There are many different species living together including lemur, gibbons, capuchins, langurs and indigenous vervet monkeys to name a few. Smaller species such as golden-handed tamarins, cotton-top tamarins and bushbabies enjoy freedom in the adjoining Birds of Eden, our sister sanctuary and the largest aviary in the world (www.birdsofeden.co.za).

Our exotic primates were mainly kept as pets, zoo inhabitants or circus animals before coming to Monkeyland. Many of them had previously never encountered a tree, let alone an individual of their own species. However, Monkeyland offers them a more natural life, to which they become accustomed through a dehumanisation and rehabilitation process called "Eden Syndrome". Eden Syndrome is the process by which caged primates have been successfully rehabilitated to a wilder state, and allowed greater freedom of movement and choice. To ensure that this rehabilitation process is successful, Monkeyland has a strict no-touching policy. For more information on our rehabilitation program, please visit http://ww.tamhf.org.za/edensyndrome.htm.

Since most Monkeyland inhabitants are originally from exotic habitats, our forest does not naturally provide enough appropriate food. Therefore we supplement their diet on feeding stations with fruit, vegetables, bread and sometimes nuts, noodles, rice, eggs or chicken. In order avoid the mental connection between humans and food, these feeding platforms are stocked before sunrise, while the animals are still fast asleep. The monkeys also learn to help themselves to trees and shrubs when they are in season, and forage for flowers, nectar and leaves. In addition, they catch small animals such as lizards, snails, frogs, insects, birds and eggs, since most of them are omnivorous just like humans.

Monkeyland is situated in a section of the original Tsitsikamma forest, and is surrounded by an equally large area of untouched forest which acts as a greenbelt. This forest is protected for the indigenous baboons, vervet monkeys and other local wildlife. Indigenous animals are increasingly losing their habitat and being driven to living on highways and farmers' fields, where they are mostly unwelcome! Therefore, protecting indigenous land for indigenous species is a vital aspect of the sanctuary.

Monkeyland and Birds of Eden fund themselves and the greenbelt by means of responsible eco-tourism. We strive to achieve an effective balance between conservation and economic reality. Experienced rangers guide one-hour tours through Monkeyland's indigenous forest in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, German, French, Italian and Spanish. They also point out, identify and explain the many wonders of life in the forest, from the rich diversity of bird life to the intricate workings of the forest itself. The emphasis is on searching for the primates and the reward is to see the various species as they are meant to be: in a forest environment with members of their own species.

Guests leave our sanctuary with a greater understanding of the primates of the world and the threats they are facing. One of our main goals is to educate the public about the adverse effects of keeping primates as pets, in terms of both physical and psychological health. Also important is the rapid decline of natural habitats due to logging, mining, agriculture and human settlements. We encourage the visiting public to buy goods wisely, ranging from second-hand or antique wood-products, to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics that were not tested on animals. For more information, please visit www.monkeyland.co.za or contact us at:
TEL: +27 (0)44 534 8906 / FAX: +27 (0)44 534 8907
E-MAIL:
P.O. BOX 1190, PLETTENBERG BAY, 6600, S.A.

Information supplied by:
Lara Mostert

www.monkeyland.co.za
www.birdsofeden.co.za

WILD ANIMAL CLUBS, ORGANISATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS