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Monkey Rescue Project

Placement number: 0013
Location: UK
Preferred Languages: English
Date: All year round
Minimum Period: 2 weeks  (Please apply 6 months in advance)

The Monkey Rescue Project is home to a colony of woolly and rescued capuchin monkeys, established in 1964, by Leonard Williams and a team of co-workers. It was started as a refuge for ex-pet and ex-zoo woolly monkeys, many thousands of whom were exported to European zoos and pets shops.

The project has only recently started to rescue capuchin monkeys and campaigns to end the primate pet trade. We have a non-breeding policy with both the woollies and the capuchins.

Many people become interested in our work because of its important contribution to knowledge about woolly monkeys, which is recognized by primatologists worldwide. The Monkey Rescue Project is a community; most of the keepers live on site. Staying with us means sharing a house with between fifteen and twenty other people.

Role of Volunteer

Volunteers join the team in cleaning monkey territory, preparing monkey food, gardening, house work, street collecting and general maintenance and work from 8.30 to 5.00, five days a week.

SUMMER: We are open to the public from Easter to the end of September, Sundays to Thursdays. During these times volunteers help in various ways:

• Serving in the shop
• Helping in the vegetarian kiosk
• Sweeping paths and public areas
• Working with children in the Activity Room and at peak times may be asked to direct visitors parking their cars

WINTER: From October to Easter, most work is in the grounds and gardens including monkey territory maintenance. Volunteers help with building, repairing and painting territory structures and general maintenance of the house and grounds. Skills in maintenance, building and woodwork are particularly welcome and made use of as much as possible. During winter, keepers have more time to develop new plans and move the project forward.

Volunteers do not work directly with the monkeys under any circumstances.

Keepers spend many months learning to recognise not only each individual monkey but also their personalities and the group dynamics. The keepers aim to keep interference to a discreet and respectful minimum. This approach has assisted the colony with the successful development of a social way of life.

Cost

We ask for a donation of £30 (English Pounds) non-waged and £35 waged per week to cover food, accommodation and insurance.

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