This week we had to say goodbye to our precious Peppino, the White-throated Capuchin, for the last time. A few weeks ago Pep started suffering with some age-related health issues, and despite round-the-clock care, he continued to deteriorate and we had to take the difficult decision to put him to sleep.

Peppino arrived at our sanctuary 10 years ago as a victim of the dreadful illegal pet trade. He was seized by the Italian government after being discovered chained up on a beach, used as a photo prop. Following his rescue, several unsuccessful attempts were made to introduce him into a capuchin troop. Then finally he joined us at the Haven and settled in really well, despite still bearing the physical and psychological scars from his past.

Although his scruffy appearance may look unusual to some, he was an unlikely leader and was certainly a hit with the ladies, fathering five children who will carry on his legacy!

Animal carer Terri said: “At an incredible 45 years of age, he didn’t have the best start in life, but in the last 10 years under our care he created an amazing legacy and left behind five beautiful, albeit mischievous youngsters. He will forever be remembered by all the staff at the Haven.”

Saturday 21st October – Sunday 5th November 

Everyone at Monkey Haven loves halloween and we can’t wait to see you all for a SPOOK-tacular time during October half term. We’ve got FANG-tastic keeper talks throughout the day where you can find out about the minibeasts, snakes and owls, plus there’s crafts and treat trails to do!

The Haven will be celebrating International Gibbon Day (24th Oct) and throwing some special Halloween birthday parties for Bog and Bono the gorgeous gibbons, and Lin and Pumpkin the cheeky Capuchins – you’ll never guess what date Pumpkin’s birthday is!

We will be throwing little halloween parties at noon for the the birthday boys and girls:

Lin the Capuchin – 23rd Oct
Bog the Siamang – 28th Oct
Bono the Müeller’s gibbon – 30th Oct
Pumpkin the Capuchin – 31st Oct

It’s International Gibbon Day on 24th October. We look after three types of gibbons at the Haven. Don’t miss the chance to learn about these fascinating creatures at the Keeper Talks. And if you’re lucky you’ll hear the awesome gibbon chorus – they all sing to each other!

Don’t forget the 7 DAY FREE RETURN PASS you get with your first visit, so you can pop back again for double the fun!

Half term will be our last full week of opening before we shut for the winter to do some maintenance around the site. We’ll still be open for weekends during November (Friday – Sunday).

See you soon!

In early July Xhabu the Siamang, one of our most special residents, became poorly, showing symptoms consistent with having a stroke. Our vets have been liaising with specialists around the world to decide which tests are most appropriate, given the geographical challenges faced with being on the Isle of Wight with limited specialists scanners.

Xhabu had a tough couple of weeks, with our Animal Care team providing around-the-clock support to keep him fed and clean. Due to the nature of his condition it adds complexities in sedating him for further tests without compromising his recovery.

In the last week or so he has started regaining his appetite and is currently in a specially adapted room, next to his friends Bog the Siamang, and Kajan and Bono the Müeller Gibbons. Although they are still separated at present, they can see each other and communicate through the wire.

Despite facing some challenges, like developing bed sores, Xhabu has been incredibly cooperative with our keepers, allowing them to apply cream regularly to aid his healing. He’s moving around with his one good arm and leg and is eating well on his own. We’re hopeful for his continued improvement!

We’ll keep you updated on our social channels.

We’re so excited to announce the official opening of our new eco-enclosure built for Peppino, Lulu and their tribe of White-throated capuchins.

The gang were outgrowing their previous house so needed something a bit more spacious… and that’s exactly what they’ve got! This fab new home is one of our largest and greenest enclosures. It’s built using timber sourced from sustainable forests, with eco insulation and cedar roofs, which are very energy efficient and drastically reduce heat loss. There’s a bank of solar panels to power the enclosure, providing light and heat to keep the monkeys nice and snug in the winter.

The Capuchins have been acclimatising and getting settled in to their new space while our building team have been completing the finishing touches around the enclosure. The new home has an inside walkthrough that is now open, so you can get up close and see these fascinating animals.

They are such intelligent and inquisitive monkeys and are enjoying exploring their new surroundings, complete with waterfall, plenty of ropes to play on, and even a trampoline! Capuchins are very active and love playing, foraging, jumping and bouncing around.

Our sanctuary recently won a gold award for Best Green business 2022 and we’ve started building another eco-friendly home to accommodate more arrivals later this year.

And a huge thank you to Red Funnel and all of the generous supporters who helped fund the new enclosure.

Pop in and say hello!

We have just welcomed two critically endangered Yellow-breasted Capuchins (also known as Golden-bellied Capuchins) to their forever home at the Haven. Dennis and Juan are brothers who were born at Edinburgh Zoo as part of the European Endangered Species Programme. In recent years the family had fallen apart so our charity was asked to rehome them.

Monkey Haven’s founder, Don Walser, said: “We are very fortunate to be in a position to help these lovely animals. We were only able to offer them a home once we had moved our family of White-throated capuchins into their fancy new home, which we have just built. We have now finishing the refurb of the old enclosure, in time for the Dennis and Juan’s arrival on 3^rd May.”

Don added: “It takes a huge amount of planning to ensure the animals are moved to the Haven with as little stress as possible. And we’re grateful to Wightlink for providing ferry travel and also donating rope for the Capuchins to play on,”

Wightlink Commercial Director Phil Delaney said: “We’re really pleased to be supporting the Monkey Haven with travel to bring Dennis and Juan to their new home on the Island. We hope they quickly settle into their new surroundings and enjoy playing on the old mooring rope we have donated for their enclosure.”

The Yellow-breasted Capuchins are native to the Atlantic rainforest in Brazil. Hunting and habitat loss has led to the population dropping by 80% over the past 50 years – there are less than 3,000 left in the wild.

In the 1980s the Brazilian government got involved with the European Endangered Species Programme to ensure that there was a genetically healthy backup population bred in captivity. So although Dennis and Juan are living at Monkey Haven, they will always belong to Brazil.

These monkeys are mostly brown and black, but get their name from the golden yellow fur that covers their upper arms, chest and stomach. They are highly vocal and communicate with each other using barks, screams, whistles and chattering.

“We are all extremely excited, it’s going to be a very happy May at Monkey Haven! Our animal carers have ensured Dennis and Juan get a VIP welcome, with lots of treats – including their favourite live bugs!” said Don.

We’re open every day from 10am if you want to swing by and meet Dennis and Juan.

Monkey Haven Keeper, LilyMae, reports from Africa:

I have had the best time, it’s been truly incredible. I’m volunteering at West African Primate Conservation Action (WAPCA), in Ghana, and am getting a really good insight into the vital work it undertakes.

The organisation is based in Accra, the capital of Ghana, but its important work is carried out in several Ghanaian regions. The mission is to safeguard the future of endangered primates and their habitat in West Africa. The organisation primarily focuses on the critically endangered Roloway monkey, Miss Waldron’s colobus, white-thighed black and white colobus and the endangered White-naped mangabey. But WAPCA also assists in the confiscation of primates stolen for the illegal pet trade, in particular, Patas Monkeys.

I’m based at its Endangered Primate Breeding Centre at Accra Zoo. Most of the White-naped mangabeys at the centre are a part of the EEP (Eaza Ex-situ Programme). These monkeys are important for increasing genetic diversity within the captive white-naped mangabey population. I have been involved with the daily care of the primates, including building enrichment items. I’ve learnt a lot from this experience and it has been a good knowledge exchange, for both parties.

It’s been amazing to experience the Ghanaian culture, everyone has been so welcoming and they’ve really made me feel like part of the family. I’m now hoping to raise awareness about WAPCA’s incredible work. As we care for Western African primate species at Monkey Haven (Djimmy and Buna, the Cherry-crowned mangabeys), I would really love to publicise Mangabey Awareness Day in August. I’m hoping to revisit Ghana in a year’s time to bring new skills and share new ideas for the welfare of the primates at Accra Zoo.

I’m sad to be leaving but so happy to be coming home to the Haven, I’ve missed everyone terribly.

LilyMae xx

Over the past four weeks our wonderful keeper team have been out most evenings braving the elements to assist in Toad Patrol over at Alverstone 🐸💚

Every year hundreds of toads migrate across the road to the local pond to breed.  They usually move on warm, wet evenings, so when the temperature is right our keepers go along for a few hours to patrol the area.

All of our animal care team have been involved, alongside a couple of members of the Froglife team, taking it in turns to patrol the road and ensuring the toads cross safely.

There can be up to 400 toads during the breeding period and we can now rest easy knowing these little guys have made it safely to the other side.

Great effort team 🙌🐸💚