The forest canopy rustles with the wind. Monkeys swing from the branches as loud howls reverberate through the trees. This jungle may seem wild, but it’s actually a man-made haven in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. Monkeys are often used in lab experiments, live in confined zoos, or kept as pets. Owners don’t know how to properly care for these creatures and leave them in poor conditions. These monkeys aren’t able to return to their natural habitats, which are disappearing as a result of logging, agriculture, and urban settlements. But at Monkeyland, ex-captive primates have a place to call home.
This 12-hectare area is the world’s first free-roaming multi-species primate sanctuary. It’s providing over 550 animals with a new lease on life, from howler monkeys and gibbons to lemurs and capuchins. Monkeyland was founded in 1998 to protect these species, who are either endangered or critically endangered. It has since flourished into a refuge and educational centre. Here, primates wander the Afromontane forest, form familial bonds, and grow their population. The sanctuary reflects the primates’ natural habitats, and there’s a strict no touching and feeding policy for handlers and guests.
To experience the environment and learn about the animals, visitors can meander along a 128-metre suspended bridge or join one of the walking safaris. Tours in multiple languages raise awareness about the threats monkeys face and how we can conserve them. Spaces like this will not only save primates from a distressing fate, but build a world where coexisting with nature is a possibility.
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